2026 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 2

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

33. Vancouver Canucks: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
    
    
    Mathis Preston has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. He's the best player still on the board in the second round, and he's right in the Vancouver Canucks backyard. He was a center in Bantam hockey, but converted to right winger after being drafted third overall by the Spokane Chiefs in the 2023 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Our 2026 NHL Draft Simulator is currently at 42 players. Mathis Preston was the top player that did not crack my top 32.
    
    
    
    Mathis Preston 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. Mathis Preston has the floor of a third line forward at right winger as well as center and Mathis Preston has the ceiling of a first line forward at right winger and is the thirty second in the 2026 NHL Draft with first line potential. Mathis Preston mainly played on the third line last year due to Andrew Cristall being on the first line, but Preston should see more top 6 forward minutes in his draft year with the Spokane Chiefs.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 168 lb Mathis Preston had 23 goals, 22 assists, 45 points, and a +15 +/- ratio in 54 WHL games with the Spokane Chiefs in 2024-2025. Mathis Preston had 9 goals, 7 assists, and 16 points in 20 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs helping the Spokane Chiefs win the Western Conference. Mathis Preston had 18 goals, 26 assists, and 44 points in 46 WHL games in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Mathis Preston was a second line right winger on the Spokane Chiefs this year. He played first line right winger and left winger after being traded to the Vancouver Giants mainly since the Giants traded Cameron Schmidt, the Dallas Stars 2025 third round pick that they had in their top 32 to the Seattle Thunderbirds, who traded Schmidt to the Victoria Royals after his 100 point season in the WHL. Mathis Preston is the thirty second player with experience or potential to be on a first line outside of the top goalie in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Mathis Preston can return to the WHL and develop. I don't see him playing on Vancouver's first line when Brock Boeser is there since Brock Boeser is locked up with Elias Petersson in Vancouver until 2032. Mathis Preston seems like an ideal player to replace Linus Karlsson as Vancouver's second line right winger when Linus Karlsson becomes a 2028 UFA.
    
    
    
34. Chicago Blackhawks: Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    The Chicago Blackhawks need to get first line wingers for Connor Bedard. One guy that played with both Viggo Bjorck and Anton Frondell is Marcus Nordmark who would be a complimentary piece that could push Vaclav Nestrasil, Chicago's 2025 first round pick for the first line right winger spot down the road unless Chicago upgrades at right winger in the first round of a future NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Marcus Nordmark 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. Marcus Nordmark has the floor of a fourth line right winger and the ceiling of a second line right winger if you watch his tape on Djurgardens IF. He was a first line right winger on Sweden's teams at Sweden Under 20 Team at the World Junior Summer Showcase with Viggo Bjorck as his center as well as the World Junior Championship where he won a gold medal with Alexander Command as his first line center.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 183 lb Marcus Nordmark had 9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a +17 +/- ratio in 17 games with the Djurgradens IF Under 20 Team. Marcus Nordmark also had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points in 5 playoff games. Marcus Nordmark had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 17 SHL games with Djurgardens IF in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Calgary Flames: Jaxon Cover, LW, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    Calgary uses this second round pick from the New York Rangers to get a left winger to add to their prospect pool. Jaxon Cover was the first line left winger on the London Knights and he's going to Penn State this Fall where he will compete with Pierce Mbyui to be the first line left winger job unless Gavin McKenna returns to Penn State for his sophomore season. I think McKenna goes straight to the NHL, but who knows. Cover will still compete with Mbyui for a top six role as the second line left winger if McKenna comes back which could be the difference between staying at Penn State for two years versus three years if McKenna does come back to Penn State.
    
    
    
    Jaxon Cover has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jaxon Cover really improved his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy in his draft year which was his weakness coming into this year. Jaxon Cover is the thirty fourth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 185 Jaxon Cover had 20 goals, 32 assists, 52 points, a +9 +/- ratio, 48 penalty minutes, 6 power play goals, 160 shots on goal, 2 game-winning goals, and 7 faceoff wins in 67 OHL regular season games in 2025-2026. Jaxon Cover had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points in 5 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
36. Calgary Flames: Alexander Command, C, Orebro HK (Elitserien)
    
    
    Calgary grabs a center to stash and develop. Alexander Command is a center that is raw, but can develop for a few years in Sweden with his contract with Orebro HK running through 2028.
    
    
    
    Alexander Command has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Alexander Command mainly played on the fourth line of Orebro HK in the SHL, but he did play on the first line for Sweden at the World Junior Championships where he averaged a poinnt per game and won a gold medal. He also played on the second line behind Viggo Bjorck on the International Jr. team for Sweden averaging a point per game as well. This is the thirty fifth player with experience or potential on a first line outside of my top goalie in the top thirty six of the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Alexander Command had 17 goals, 27 assists, 44 points, and a +10 +/- ratoi on the Orebro HK Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Alexander Command had 5 goals, 8 assists, and 13 points in 14 games in the Orebro HK Under 20 team in the 2026 Playoffs. Alexander Command had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 6 SHL games.
    
    
    
    Alexander Command's Orebro HK contract in Sweden runs through 2027-2028. That is perfect timing with Mikael Backlund and Morgan Frost set to be UFA's as well as Connor Zary set to be an RFA by that point. That's why rolling the dice on a guy that many have in the first round like Alexander Command makes a ton of sense for Calgary if he falls to the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Chicago Blackhawks: Adam Nemec, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
    
    
    Chicago needs to get wingers for their centers. Losing out on a top 2 pick really kept them from addressing that long-term, but with drafting a defenseman at 4, the centers, defenders, and goalies are there. I gave Chicago Marcus Nordmark with their first second round pick at right winger. I'm giving Chicago Adam Nemec the younger brother of Simon Nemec, who entered the Fall with a first round grade, but is now a second round prospect.
    
    
    
    Adam Nemec is the younger brother of defenseman Simon Nemec who was drafted second overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2022 NHL Draft. There were three players on my radar for the 2026 NHL Draft back in the summer of 2022. Gavin McKenna, Ryan Roobroeck, and Adam Nemec were those three players since I knew Adam was Simon's younger brother back in 2022. Other players have impressed me as they got on radars though. Adam Nemec has lined up at left winger, center, right winger, and defenseman on both the left as well as the right side making Adam Nemec the first plug-in-play player I've scouted for the NHL Draft since Lukas Reichel back in the 2020 NHL Draft as Reichel played both winger roles while being used as a defenseman on the power play in Germany for Eisbaren Berlin. Adam Nemec can play any position on the ice as a skater, but he lined up as a left winger in the game I watched.
    
    
    
    Adam Nemec 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 Nemec is the thirty sixth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft in the top thirty seven outside of the best goalie in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 176 lb Adam Nemec had 28 goals, 29 assists, 57 points, and a +42 +/- ratio in 43 games on the HK Nitra Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. Adam Nemec had 4 goals, 4 assists, and 8 points in 11 playoff games with the HK Nitra Under 20 Team. Adam Nemec had 28 goals, 23 assists, 51 points, and a +37 +/- ratio on the HK Nitra Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Adam Nemec had 9 goals, 6 assists, and 15 points in 11 playoff games with the HK Nitra Under 20 Team. Adam Nemec also had 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, and a +6 +/- ratio in 20 games with HK Nitra in Tipos the professional hockey league in Slovakia. In fact the game I watched of Nemec where he had 1 goal and 2 assists was a Tipos game where he was competing against Slovakian men at the highest level.
    
    
    
    Adam Nemec 3 goals, 12 assists, and 15 points in 28 games with HK Nitra in 2025-2026 before going over to the London Knights in the OHL. Adam Nemec had 14 goals, 21 assists, and 35 points in 31 OHL games in 2025-2026. Adam Nemec finished the regular season with both teams posting 17 goals, 33 assists, and 50 points in 2025-2026. Adam Nemec had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 4 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Adam Nemec has the floor of a third line left winger in the NHL and the ceiling of a first line left winger in the NHL. Adam Nemec will continue developing in the OHL and will have two full seasons in the OHL before Chicago has to secure him to an entry-level contract.
    
    
    
38. Seattle Kraken: Jakub Vanecek, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
    
    
    Seattle drafts a defenseman. Jakub Vanecek is a defenseman that provides great value at this point in the second round since he was the Tri-City Americans first round pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    Jakub Vanecek has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Jakub Vanecek is the thirty seventh skater with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 191 lb Jakub Vanecek had 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points, 20 penalty minutes, 112 shots on goal, 4 power play goals, and 2 game-winning goals in 2025-2026. Jakub Vanecek will be back on Tri-City next year and will not be taking the NCAA route.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Pittsburgh Penguins: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Pittsburgh drafts a forward with this second round pick. Wyatt Cullen is the son of former Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup winner Matt Cullen. Wyatt Cullen has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger though.
    
    
    
    Wyatt went from a guy that wasn't even on the USNTDP roster at the beginnng of the season who got promoted to team captain of the USNTDP Under 18 Team by the end of the season. He started out at 5-8 146 back in October, but is now 6-1 180.
    
    
    
    Wyatt Cullen skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Wyatt Cullen has the traits you covet his floor is second line left winger on an AHL team and his ceiling is first line left winger on an NHL team making Cullen a boom or bust pick with his injury history as he was injured multiple times in the season. He is the thirty eighth player with potential or experience on a first line as he played on the top line in the USA VS CHL Prospects Challenge recording 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in a win for USA over the CHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Wyatt Cullen had 16 goals, 29 assists, and 45 points in 40 games on the United States National Under 18 Team in 2025-2026. Wyatt Cullen had 6 goals, 10 assists, and 16 points in 15 USHL games as well in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
40. Florida Panthers: Brooks Rogowski, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    Florida gets their future fourth line right winger with this pick. Brooks Rogowski can play left winger, center, or right winger with his versatility.
    
    
    
    Brooks Rogowski has the 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. Brooks Rogowski is the thirty ninth skater with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 236 lb Brooks Rogowski had 15 goals, 27 assists, 42 points, 272 face off wis, 137 shots on goal, 7 power play goals, and 3 game-winning goals in 46 games with the Oshawa Generals in 2025-2026. Brooks Rogowski is going to Michigan State this Fall, but he will have to compete with Shamara Moses Florida's 2025 fifth round pick for that job once he Brooks Rogowski is done developing at Michigan State.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Vancouver Canucks: Samu Alalauri, D, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Vancouver drafts a defenseman prospect for the future to add to their prospect pool after trading Quinn Hughes away to Minnesota. Samu Alalauri is the Lahti Pelicans number two defenseman on their first line. He was also an alternate captain for the Finland Under 18 Little Lions team serving directly under Juho Piiparinen earlier this Spring in a hockey tournament.
    
    
    
    Samu Alalauri has the 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. Samu Alalauri is the fortieth player with experience or potential to play o a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 215 lb Samu Alalauri had 6 goals, 19 assists, and 25 points in 40 games with the Lahti Pelicans Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Samu Alalauri also had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points as an alternate captain for Finland. Samu Alalauri is going to Massachusetts to play on the blue line with Landon Nycz and goalie Tobias Trejbal in 2026.
    
    
    
42. Nashville Predators: Egor Barabanov, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
    
    
    Nashville is going to need multiple centers for the future. Egor Barabanov is a great value pick in the second round.
    
    
    
    Egor Barbanov has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Egor Barabanov is the forty first player with experience or potential on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 175 lb Egor Barbanov had 28 goals, 63 assists, 91 points, 481 face off wins, 197 shots on goal, 11 power play goals, and 1 game-winning goal in 2025-2026. Egor Barabanov had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 4 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Egor Barbanov is heading to Massachusetts with Tobias Trejbal, Landon Nycz, and Samu Alalauri next season. He's a crafty creative guy and a playmaker who sees all his options. Saginaw signed him as a Free Agent and reloaded at center after losing Michael Misa, the second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Columbus Blue Jackets: Mans Gudmundsson, D, Farjestads BK (Elitserien)
    
    
    Columbus drafts another defender here since Zach Werenski is a 2028 UFA. Mans Gudmundsson was the number one defender on the Farjestads BK Under 20 Team this past season. His defensive play took a lot of pressure off of Mans Goos, the Dallas Stars 2025 fifth round pick at goalie.
    
    
    
    Mans Gudmundsson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Mans Gudmundssonis the forty second skater with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of the top goalie in this draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 188 lb Mans Gudmundsson had 1 goal, 24 assists, 25 points, and 10 penalty minutes with the Farjestads Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Mans Gudmundsson had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 7 playoff games.
    
    
    
44. New Jersey Devils: Samuel Eriksson, D, Farjestads BK (Elitserien)
    
    
    New Jersey gets another defender to stash and develop. Samuel Eriksson was linemates with Mans Gudmundsson on the Farjestds BK Under 20 Team.
    
    
    
    Samuel Eriksson has the skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Samuel Eriksson is the forty third skater with experience or potentail to play on a first line.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 210 lb Samuel Eriksson had 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 32 games with the Farjestads BK Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Samuel Eriksson had 0 points in 7 playoff games. He also played 1 SHL game unlike Mans Gudmusson, but Mans Gudmunsson got an invite to the 2026 NHL Combine while Samuel Eriksson didn't.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Chicago Blackhawks: Zach Wooten, LW, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
    
    
    Chicago drafts another winger to stash and develop for the future here. Zach Wooten is one of the five best USHL players in this draft and rankly him in round 2 or 3 is way better value than Wyatt Cullen in the top 10 or round one for that matter. I want to type way in all caps to emphasize how much better of a value pick Zach Wooten is versus Wyatt Cullen in the first round, but I won't since I believe Cullen will get drafted ahead of Wooten due to his leadership traits and his father Matt Cullen playing in the NHL. Wyatt Cullen also interviewed really well too, but let's focus on why Zach Wooten should go in the top 50.
    
    
    
    Zach Wooten 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. Zach Wooten is the forty fourth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of the top goalie in this draft through forty five picks.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 209 lb Zach Wooten had 35 goals, 27 assists, 62 points, a +98 _/- ratio, 177 shots, 7 power play goals, 5 game-winnng goals, 4 short-handed goals, and 2 goals in penalty shootouts in 61 games with the Green Bay Gamblers in 2025-2026. Zach Wooten had 2 goals, 0 assists, and 2 points in 2 games in the 2026 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Zach Wooten is going to Wisconsin this Fall. Zach Wooten can develop further there and the team that drafts him will not have to rush him up to the NHL.
    
    
    
46. Los Angeles Kings: Luke Schairer, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings own this second round pick from Columbus, but do not have their own second round pick. Los Angeles uses this pick to get a younger defenseman that can arrive on the Los Angeles Kings in a few years. Luke Schairer is the top defenseman on the USNTDP team and you can honestly make an argument that he's the top prospect on their entire roster. Drew Doughty is in a contract year and there are other defensemen that will become UFA's soon, so drafting Luke Schairer and adding him to the Los Angeles Kings prospect pool feels necessary.
    
    
    
    Luke Schairer has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Luke Schairer was the number one defender on the USNTDP USHL team meaning he played against men more than anyone on the USNTDP team versus other players like Wyatt Cullen Luke Schairer is the forty fifth player with experience on a first line or first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of the top goalie.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 195 lb Luke Schairer had 1 goal, 8 assists, 9 points, and a + in 25 games with the UNSTDP USHL team in 2025-2026. Luke Schairer needs to develop his shot when he goes to Boston University if he wants to succeed in the NHL.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Detroit Red Wings: Matias Vanhanen, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
    
    
    The Detroit Red Wings have Alex Debrincat as their first line left winger in a contract year, Dylan Larkin, their 2014 first round pick and team captain as their first line center, and Lucas Raymond their 2020 first round pick as their first line right winger. Emmitt Finne their 2023 seventh round pick is now expected to play on the top six next season after playing all 82 NHL games this past season, Andrew Copp is their second line enter, and J.T. Compher is their second line right winger. Detroit could have Carter Bear their 2025 first round pick as their third line left winger, Michael Rasmussen their 2017 first round pick as their third line center, and Mason Appleton as their third line right winger. Detroit could have Marco Kasper their 2022 first round pick as their fourth line center after being Detroit's second line center in 2024-2025, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Detroit's 2024 first round pick is their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Detroit Red Wings have Moritz Seider their 2019 first round pick as their number one defenseman on their first line and Simon Edvinsson their 2021 first round pick complimenting him on the first line as an RFA this offseason. Both of those defensemen were drafted sixth overall in their respective draft years. Justin Faulk was a number one defenseman on the Carolina Hurricanes and St. Louis Blues, but now he is a number three defenseman anchoring the Red Wings second line with Axel Sandin-Pellikka the Red Wings second 2022 first round pick complimenting him. Detroit has Ben Chiarot and Jaob Beranrd-Docker complimenting him. Albert Johansson is a seventh sdefenseman for depth.
    
    
    
    Detroit Red Wings starting goalie John Gibson enters a contract year next season. The backup goalie Cam Talbot is a UFA this summer. Detroit Red Wings 2021 first round pick Sebastian Cossa drafted fourteenth overall in 2021 has had three strong seasons in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Michal Postava an undrafted goalie that played for HC Kometa Brno in Extraliga in the Czech Republic dominated down the stretch for the Grand Rapids Griffins, so Cossa will have competition for the backup goalie job behind John Gibson. Detroit Red Wings 2023 second round pick Trey Augstine will be the backup goalie on the Grand Rapids Griffins next season.
    
    
    
    Detroit drafts a future left winger since fourth line left winger is an immediate need. Matias Vahanen was so good with the Everett Silvertips after coming over from Finland in the 2025 CHL Import Draft, that Carter Bear, Detroit's 2025 first round pick moved from first line left winger to first line right winger just to give Matias Vanhanen an opportunity to play on the Everett Silvertips top line.
    
    
    
    Matias Vanhanen 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. Matias Vanhanen is the forty sixth player with experience on a first line or potential to play on a top line in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of the top goalie in this years draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 177 lb Matias Vanhanen had 21 goals, 66 assists, 87 points, 154 shots on goal, 6 game-winning-goals, 3 power play goals, a +58 +/- ratio, and 6 penalty minutes in 62 WHL games in 2025-2026 during his rookie WHL season. Matias Vanhanen had 12 goals 12 assists, 24 points, and a +17 +/- ratio in 18 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs. Matias Vanhanen also led all players with 8 goals during the 2026 Memorial Cup where the Kitchener Rangers, the 2026 OHL Champion defeated the Everett Silvertips, the 2026 WHL Champion.
    
    
    
48. Florida Panthers: Brady Knowling, G, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Florida loses their starting goalie and backup goalie as both are UFA's. Even if Sergei Bobrovsky comes back, Florida is at a tipping point where they need to draft their goalie of the future since they traded Spencer Knight, their 2019 first round pick to Chicago to get defenseman Seth Jones.
    
    
    
    Tobias Trejbal was my only first round goalie. I was torn between Brady Knowling and Dmitry Borichev here. Brady Knowling was the only other goalie outside of Trejbal that checked off all 10 boxes in a goalie.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 205 lb Brady Knowling had a 3.33 goals against average, and .886 save percentage in 15 USHL games going 8-5-1 in 14 starts with the USNTDP team in 2025-2026. Brady Knowling had 42 saves in a 4-2 win over the CHL in the Team USA VS CHL Prospects Game.
    
    
    
    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, but the other goalie that checks off those 10 boxes in this draft is Brady Knowling. Tobias Trejbal has the goals against average and save percentage to sneak into the first round and Knowling doesn't, that's the difference between those two goalies.
    
    
    
    Brady Knowling will go to Boston University. That is where Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger played college hockey. If his GAA and save percentage improve there, he could be a really good NHL starting goalie down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Los Angeles Kings: Brek Liske, D, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings draft another defenseman. The top defenseman on my board is Everett Silvertips defenseman Brek Liske. Brek Liske took Landon DuPont under his wing when he first got drafted by the Everett Silvertips. Brek Liske played with Landon DuPont on the Everett Silvertips first line this season, and DuPont is still the front runner to go first overall in 2027.
    
    
    
    Brett Liske 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. Brett Liske has the floor of a third line defenseman and the ceiling of a first line defenseman making him the forty seventh player with experience or potential to play on a first line .
    
    
    
    The 6-2 188 lb Brek Liske had 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, a +6 +/- ratio, and 2 penalty minutes in 3 games with the Everett Silvertips in 2023-2024. Brek Liske had 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, a +13 +/- ratio, and 28 penalty minutes in 2024-2025. Brek Liske had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 13 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Brek Liske had 7 goals, 17 assists, 24 points, a +31 +/- ratio and 20 penalty minutes in 52 WHL Games in 2025-2026. Brek Liske had 4 goals, 13 assists, and 17 points in 18 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs as the Everett Silvertips won the WHL this season.
    
    
    
50. Anaheim Ducks: Chase Harrington, LW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
    
    
    The Anaheim Ducks have Chris Kreider as their first line left winger in a contract year next season, Leo Carlsson the second pick in the 2023 NHL Draft is an RFA and the first line center, and Troy Terry a 2015 fifth round pick is the first line right winger under contract until 2030. Anaheim has Alex Killorn as their second line left winger entering the final year of his contract next season, Mikael Granlund as their as their second line center, and Beckett Senecke their third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft as their second line right winger who enters the second year of his rookie deal and is not an RFA until 2028. Anaheim has Frank Vatrano as their third line left winger, Mason McTavish who they drafted third overall in the 2021 NHL Draft as their third line center and Cutter Gauthier their third line right winger is an RFA this summer. Anaheim has Nikita Nesterenko as their fourth line left winger in a contract year next season, Tim Washe as their fourth line center, and Nathan Gaucher their second 2022 first round pick as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Anaheim Ducks could have Jackson Lacombe their 2019 second round pick and Owen Zellwegger their 2021 second round pick whose an RFA as their two first line defensemen assuming they only bring back their RFA's and defensemen under contract next season. Pavel Mintyukov their first 2022 first round pick could be the second line defenseman with Tristan Luneau, Anaheim's 2022 second round pick complimenting him. Anaheim could have Drew Hellison and Tyson Hinds whose an RFA as their third line defensemen. Anaheim has three UFA's on defense in Jacob Trouba who played on the first line in the playoffs. John Carlsson, who they traded a first round pick for, and team captain Radko Gudas. Anaheim would like to bring a few of those guys back, but have to prioritize RFA's like Carlsson, Gauthier, Zellwegger, Mintyukov, and Hinds. There's also guys that are 2027 UFA's, that Anaheim may prioritize over those three defensemen too.
    
    
    
    The Anaheim Ducks have Lukas Dostal their 2018 third round pick as their starting goalie. Anaheim has Ville Husso is the backup goalie in a contract year. Calle Clang remains the starting goalie on the San Diego Gulls, Anaheim's AHL team. Damian Clara, Anaheim's 2023 second round pick should be the backup goalie to Calle Clang in the AHL next season.
    
    
    
    Anaheim gets a left winger for depth here. Chase Harrington, the Spokane Chiefs first round pick in the 2022 WHL Draft makes a lot of sense here.
    
    
    
    Chase Harrington 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. Chase Harrington is the forty eighth player with experience or potential to play on the first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 201 lb Chase Harrington had 19 goals, 31 assists, and 50 points in 68 WHL games in 2024-2025. Chase Harrington had 6 goals, 8 assists, and 14 points in 20 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Chase Harrington had 28 goals, 29 assists, 57 points, 9 power play goals, and 4 game-winning-goals in 61 games in 2025-2026. Chase Harrington had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 6 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Chase Harrington is someone Anaheim can stash and develop. He is someone that could contribute at left winger immediately when one of Anaheim's core left wingers becomes a UFA.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Calgary Flames: Beckett Hamilton, C, Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
    
    
    Calgary uses this second round pick to draft another center to stash and develop. Beckett Hamilton might have a higher ceiling than Alexander Command, who I mocked to Calgary earlier in the second round, but Command clearly has the better floor.
    
    
    
    Beckett Hamilton was drafted by the Red Deer Rebels in the first round of the 2023 WHL Draft. Beckett Hamilton has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    Becket Hamilton 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. Beckett Hamilton is the forty ninth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 173 lb Beckett Hamilton had 24 goals, 38 assists, 62 points, 330 face off wins, 261 shots on goal, 4 power play goals, 3 game-winning goals, and 1 short-handed goal in 67 games with the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL in 2025-2026. Beckett Hamilton had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in 5 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
52. Edmonton Oilers: Dmitry Borichev, G, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
    
    
    The Edmonton Oilers have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins their first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft as their first line left winger until 2029, Connor McDavid the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and team captain is the first line center and a UFA in 2028. Zach Hyman, Edmonton's first line right winger is a UFA in 2028. Edmonton has Vasily Podkolzin as their second line left winger, Leon Draisaitl their 2014 first round pick as their second line center, and Trent Frederic as their second line right winger. Edmonton could have Matias Janmark as their third line left winger in a contract year, Josh Samanski as a third line center whose an RFA, and Mathew Savoie as a third line right winger. Edmonton could have Connor Clattenberg a 2024 fifth round pick as their fourth line left winger, Colton Dach as their fourth line center, and Isaac Howard as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Edmonton Oilers have Evan Bouchard their 2018 first round pick and Darnell Nurse their 2013 first round pick as their two first line defensemen with Bouchard as their number one defenseman and Nurse as their number two defenseman. Edmonton has Jake Walman and Mattias Ekholm as their two second line defensemen with Walman as their number three defenseman and Ekholm rotating between the number four and number two defenseman on the first and second lines with Nurse playing on the second line when Ekholm is on the top line. Edmonton could hve Ty Emerson as their number five defenseman anchoring the third line in a contract year next season. Spencer Stastney could be the number six defenseman on the third line next season since he's an RFA while Connor Murphy, who Edmonton traded for at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is a UFA.
    
    
    
    The Edmonton Oilers have Tristan Jarry as their starting goalie after trading Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh to get Jarry. Edmonton's backup goalie to Tristan Jarry is a UFA and Tristan Jarry's contract expires in 2028 the same year as Connor McDavid's contract expries.
    
    
    
    Edmonton has Tommy Lafreniere and Aidan Park in their prospect pool at center. I don't see either guy making ht ejump to the NHL unless Connor McDavid leaves and if that happens that will be massive skates to fill.
    
    
    
    Edmonton drafts their goalie of the future here. Dmitry Borichev makes a lot of sense here if he's still available in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 198 lb Dmitri Borichev had a 12-8-3 record in 23 starts playing in 24 games posting a 2.25 goals against average and a .929 save percentage with Lokomotiv Yarslavl's MHL team in 2025-2026. Dmitri Borichev went 0-2, but posted a 1.85 goals against average and .947 save percentage in 2 games during the 2026 MHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    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. Dmitri Borichev checked off 9/10 boxes, but needs to improve his ability to read the puck by tracking.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Philadelphia Flyers: Jayden Kurtz, D, Rogers HS (MN)
    
    
    Philadelphia has eight defensemen on the roster for next season. They also have seven defenseman on the roster for the 2027 season and will have six defensemen on the roster in 2028 when Nick Seeler becomes a UFA. If Philadelphia drafts a defenseman here he probably will not be in the NHL until 2030 at the earliest when Cam York becomes a UFA. That's if the defenseman Philadelphia drafts here can beat out both 2024 second round pick Spencer Gill and 2025 second round pick Carter Amico.
    
    
    
    Spencer Gill will be on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms pretty soon while Carter Amico continues to develop. Gill has regressed each of the past two seasons since being drafted and Carter Amico failed to produce a point at Boston University and left Boston University to go to the Muskegon Lumberjacks after Tynan Lawrence arrived at Boston College. Philadelphia needs one more defenseman to push both Spencer Gill and Carter Amico. That's where Jayden Kurtz the top High School player in the 2026 NHL Draft comes into play.
    
    
    
    Jayden Kurtz has the 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. Jayden Kurtz was an alternate captain and was the number one defenseman at Rogers High School in Minnesota. He also saw limited action with the Chicago Steel in the USHL. Jayden Kurtz is the fiftieth player with experience on the first line or potential to play on the first line in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of the top three goalies in tis draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 190 lb Jayden Kurtz had 4 goals, 11 assists, and 15 points in 27 games as a freshman at Rogers High School in 2023-2024. Jayden Kurtz had 5 goals, 15 assists, and 20 points in 29 games as a sophomore at Rogers High School in 2024-2025. Jayden Kurtz had 13 goals, 25 assists, and 38 points in 26 games as a junior at Rogers High School after getting promoted to alternate captain in 2025-2026. Jayden Kurtz also had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 19 games with the Chicago Steel in the USHL in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Jayden Kurtz will split his time between Rogers High School and the Chicago Steel during his senior season of High School. He will enroll at Wisconsin in 2027.
    
    
    
54. Pittsburgh Penguins: Myles Brosnan, D, Dexter Southfield HS (MA)
    
    
    Pittsburgh drafts a defenseman that can be groomed for the future. Myles Brosnan was the second best defenseman and second best player in High School hokey behind only Jayden Kurtz.
    
    
    
    Myles Brosnan has the 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. Myles Brosnan and was the number one defenseman at Deter Southfield High School in Massachusetts. He also saw limited action with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. Myles Brosnan is the fifty first player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 194 lb Myles Brosnan had 3 goals, 18 assists, and 21 points in 31 games as a freshman at Dexter Southfield High School in 2023-2024. Myles Brosnan had 9 goals, 27 assists, and 36 points in 28 games as a sophomore at Dexter Southfield High School in 2024-2025. Myles Brosnan had 7 goals, 44 assists, and 51 points in 30 games as a junior at Dexter Southfield High School in 2025-2026. Myles Brosnan had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in the USHL in 2 games with the Sioux City Musketeers in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Myles Brosnan will split his time between Dexter Southfield High School and the Sioux City Musketeers during his senior season of High School. He will enroll at Harvard in 2027.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Calgary Flames: Timofei Runtso, D, Victoria Royals (WHL)
    
    
    The Calgary Flames draft their third defender in the 2026 NHL Draft. Calgary's future top four onn defense would consist of Keaton Verhoeff and Zayne Parekh on the first line. Juho Piiparinen, who I mocked to Calgary with their first round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights and Timofei Runtso, who I'm giving Calgary ow in the second round would give the Calgary Flames their future top four pairings on defense.
    
    
    
    Calgary drafts Timofei Runtso. Timofei Runto took over as the number one defenseman on the Victoria Royals after Keaton Verahoeff went to North Dakota this past Fall.
    
    
    
    Timofei Runtso 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. Timofei Runtso is the fifty second player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 185 lb Timofei Runtso had 11 goals, 33 assists, 44 points, 163 shots on goal, 28 penalty minutes, 4 power play goals, and 2 game-winning goals as a rookie on the Victoria Royals as the number one defenseman after Keaton Verhoeff left for the NCAA. Timofei Runtso is playing college at Miami Ohio this Fall.
    
    
    
56. Boston Bruins: Landon Nycz, D, Massachusetts
    
    
    I gave Boston a defenseman at 23. I am doubling up on defense with multiple ddefenseman set to be UFA's in 2028 for the Boston Bruins.
    
    
    
    Landon Nycz has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Landon Nycz needs to develop his shot with both his wrist shot and his slap shot in terms of shooting power as well as shooting accuracy with both shots. Landon Nycz has the floor of a third line defenseman given his time with the Waterloo Blackhawks and the ceiling of a first line defenseman if you watch his tape on the Sioux City Musketeers. I believe Landon Nycz is closer to his ceiling than his floor as he is the fifty third player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft despite struggling at Massachusetts as a freshman.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 201 lb Landon Nycz had 8 goals, 18 assists, 28 points, 31 penalty minutes, and a +13 +/- ratio in 56 USHL games in 2024-2025. Landon Nycz had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 3 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs. Landon Nycz` was the only defender I watched on tape outside of Keaton Verhoeff to go two periods without giving up a goal on tape as Landon Nycz is going to Massachusetts to play college hockey in 2025. Landon Nycz only had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 35 games as a freshman at Massachusetts in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    The Massachusetts Minutemen head coach called Landon Nycz the second best skater among every defenseman he ever coached. The only defenseman that was a better skater than Landon Nycz according to their coaching staff was Cale Makar which is a hell of an endorsement.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Nashville Predators: Ethan MacKenzie, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
    
    
    Nashville gets another defenseman to stash and develop in their prospect pool. Ethan MacKenzie, a 2021 fourth round pick is the top defenseman available. Ethan MacKenzie is enrolling at North Dakota this Fall.
    
    
    
    Ethan MacKenzie has the 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. Ethan MacKenzie is the fifty fourth player with experience or potential on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft as Ethan MacKenzie was the Edmonton Oil Kings number one defenseman playing on both the power play as well as the penalty killer. Ethan MacKenzie is also considered the top overager in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 189 lb Ethan MacKenzie had 1 goal, 11 assists, and 12 points in 50 games in 2022-2023. Ethan MacKenzie had 1 goal, 5 assists, and 6 points in 26 games in 2023-2024. Ethan MacKenzie had 5 goals, 27 assists, 32 points, a +7 +/- ratio, 102 shots on goal, 64 penalty minutes, 2 power play goals, and 1 game-winning goal in 54 games in 2024-2025. Ethan MacKenzie had 2 goals, 1 assists, and 3 points in 7 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Ethan MacKenzie had 22 goals, 36 assists, 58 points, a +29 +/- ratio, 10 power play goals, and 4 game-winning goals in 2025-2026. Ethan MacKezie had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 7 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
58. Tampa Bay Lightning: Zachary Lansard, RW, Regina Pats (WHL)
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Lightning have Jake Guentzel as their first line left winger, Brayden Point, their 2014 third round pick as their first line center, and Nikita Kucherov their 2011 second round pick as their first line right winger entering a contract year next season. Tampa Bay has Brandon Hagel as their second line left winger, Anthony Cirelli their 2015 third round pick as their third line center, and Nick Paul could be the Tampa Bay Lightning's second line right winger. Tampa Bay has Zemgus Girgensons as thier third line left winger, Yanni Gourde as their third line center, and Connor Geekie could be their third line right winger. Tampa Bay has Gage Goncalves as their fourth line left winger, Dominik James as their fourth line center in a contract year, and could have Scoutt Sabourin as their fourth line right winger in a contract year next season.
    
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Lightning have Victor Hedman who the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted second overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft as their number one defenseman and team captain with JJ Moser complimenting him on the first line. Tampa Bay has Erik Cernak as their number three aefenseman on the second line with Ryan McDonagh complimenting Cernak. Charle-Edouard D'Astous is the number five defenseman anchoring the third line and Emil Lilleberg as their number six defenseman on the third line.
    
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Lightning have Andrei Vasilevskiy their 2012 first round pick as their starting goalie. Jonas Johansson is their backup goalie in a contract year. Harrison Meneghin their 2024 seventh round pick helped the Medicine Hat Tigers win a WHL Championship last year as he will join the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL next season. Caleb Heil last years seventh round pick is going to North Dakota.
    
    
    
    Tampa Bay gets a right winger to stash and develop. Zachary Lansard, the Regina Pats 2023 fourth round pick has done enough to emerge as a second round prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Zachary Lansard has the 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. Zachary Lansard is the fifty fifth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 175 lb Zachary Lansard had 7 goals, 12 assists, and 19 points, with the Regina Pats in 2024-2025. Zachary Lansard had 24 goals, 32 assists, 56 points, 198 shots on goal, 5 power play goals, and 3 game-winning goals in 2025-2026. Zachary Lansard had 3 goals, 0 assists, and 3 points in 5 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    
    
59. Dallas Stars: Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Jason Robertson, their 2017 second round pick as their first line left winger whose an RFA, Wyatt Johnston their 2021 first round pick as their first line center, and Mikko Rantanen as their first line right winger. Dallas has Sam Steel as their second line left winger, Roope Hintz their 2015 second round pick as their second line center, and Maverick Bourque their 2020 first round pick as their second line right winger whose an RFA. Dallas has Oskar Back their 2018 third round pick as their third line left winger, Matt Duchene as their third line center, and Tyler Seguin as their third line right winger. Dallas has Justin Hryckowian as their fourth line left winger, Radek Faksa as their fourth line center, and Colin Blackwell as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Miro Heiskanen their third overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft as their number one defenseman on the first line. Thomas Harley their 2019 first round pick complments Miro Heiskanen as the number two defenseman on the first line. Esa Lindell, the Dallas Stars 2012 third round pick is the number three defenseman on the second line with Nils Lundqvist complimenting Esa Lindell on the second line. Dallas has Lian Bichsel their 2022 first round pick anchoring the third line as the number five defenseman with either Ilya Lybushkin or Tyler Myers complmenting him. Dallas has seven good defensemen under contract for next year.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Jake Oettinger their second 2017 first round pick as their starting goalie with Jake Oettinger beginning the second year of his eight year contract extension next year. Casey DeSmith the backup goalie enters a contract year. Remi Poirier the Dallas Stars 2020 sixth round pick is the starting goalie on the Texas Stars in the AHL. Benjamin Kraws is the backup goalie in the AHL, assuming the Dallas Stars bring back the RFA to a two-way contract. Arno Tiefensee, the Dallas Stars 2023 fifth round pick will push Benjamin Kraws for the backup goalie on the Dallas Stars with the loser of that competition going to the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL. Dallas drafted Mans Goos in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft and he looked good in his plus one year on Farjestads BK.
    
    
    
    Dallas has $10.1 million in cap space. Three players the Stars want to bring back are Jason Robertson, Maverick Bourque, and team captain Jamie Benn whose a UFA. Dallas will probably have to trade left winger Sam Steel and defenseman Ilya Lybushkin to create enough cap space to keep those three. If Dallas keeps those three and is 100 percent healthy on opening night, they will be my favorite to win the 2027 Stanley Cup next season.
    
    
    
    One center that has wowed me early in the draft process that looked like a late first round first round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is Saskatoon Blades center Cooper Williams. Cooper Williams has one more season of eligibility in the WHL before he goes to the NCAA to play for North Dakota in 2027. Cooper Williams can be an asset for the NHL team that drafts him, but he will not be an asset until 2028 at the earliest and may not make the NHL until 2030 at the latest if Williams plays three years at North Dakota after his time in the WHL as Williams showed flashes of Connor Bedard and Nate Mackinnon in his rookie WHL season. I don't think Williams will be as good as those two, but Williams showed similar traits as those two on tape.
    
    
    
    Cooper Williams 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. Cooper Williams has the floor of a first line center in the AHL and ceiling of a first line center in the NHL making Cooper Williams the fifty sixth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 150 lb Cooper Williams had 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points, 147 shots on goal, 336 face off wins, 24 penalty minutes, 4 power play goals, 2 game-winning goals, and a +19 +/- ratio in 68 WHL games in 2024-2025 as the Saskatoon Blades first line center. Cooper Williams had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 4 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Cooper Williams had 23 goals, 34 assists, 57 points, 170 shots on goal, 387 face off wins, 35 penalty minutes, 7 power play goals, 2 game-winning goals, 1 short-handed goal, and a -7 +/- ratio in 66 games with the Saskatoon Blades 2025-2026. Cooper Williams had 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 11 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
60. Toronto Maple Leafs: Zach Olsen, RW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
    
    
    Toronto needs one more left winger, one more center, one more right winger, multiple defensemen, and if they still got any picks after that they can get a goalie. The Toronto Maple Leafs get a right winger to add to their prospect pool. Zach Olsen is the top right winger available and with him going to Colorado College there will be no rush to sign him to an NHL contract.
    
    
    
    Zach Olsen 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. Zach Olsen is the fifty seventh player with experience and potential on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 196 lb Zach Olsen had 11 goals, 12 assists, 23 points, 104 shots on goal, 3 power play goals, and 1 game-winning goal in 2024-2025. Zach Olsen had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Zach Olsen had 18 goals, 16 assists, 34 points in 138 shots on goal, 4 power play goals, and 3 game-winning-goals in 2025-2026. Zach Olsen had 2 goals, 4 assists, and 6 points in 10 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    
    
61. Montreal Canadiens: Cooper Cleaves, D, Dartmouth
    
    
    The Montreal Canadiens get a defenseman to stash and develop. Dartmouth defenseman Cooper Cleaves is one of the best college defensemen that nobody is talking about that is eligible to be picked in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Cooper Cleaves 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. Cooper Cleaves was a first line defenseman on Dartmouth and is the fifty eighth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 205 lb Cooper Cleaves had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points, as a freshman at Dartmouth in 2025-2026. Cooper Cleaves can play on the power play as well as the penalty killing unit.
    
    
    
62. San Jose Sharks: Vertti Svensk, D, Saimaan Pallo (SM Liiga)
    
    
    The San Jose Sharks draft another defenseman here. Vertti Svensk is the best defenseman available.
    
    
    
    Vertti Svensk 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. Vertti Svensk is the fifty ninth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 168 lb Vertti Svensk had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 18 games with Saimaan Pallo in Liiga in 2025-2026. He also posted 3 goals, 28 assists and 31 points on the Saimaan Pallo Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. He played 2 games in the 2026 Liiga Playoffs.
    
    
    
    
    
63. New York Rangers: Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
    
    
    The New York Rangers get a guy that could be their future first line center. Beckham Edwards could be that guy.
    
    
    
    Beckham Edwards was the Sarnia Sting's 2024 third round pick as Beckham Edwards has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. Beckham Edwards outperformed Alessandro Di Iorio who was drafted second overall by the Sanria Sting in the 2024 OHL Draft. Not only did Beckham Edwards get more points than Alessandro Di Iorio, he also played more games with the Sarnia Sting on the first line last year in his plus 1 year.
    
    
    
    Beckham Edwards 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. Beckham Edwards has the floor of a third line forward at center as well as left winger with the ceiling of a first line forward at center as well as left winger making Beckham Edwards the sixtieth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 184 lb Beckham Edwards had 25 goals, 20 assists, 45 points 138 shots on goal, 209 face off wins, 7 power play goals, 1 game-winning goal, and 6 penalty minutes in 62 OHL games in 2024-2025. Beckham Edwards had 19 goals, 26 assists, 45 points, 195 shots on goal, 358 face off wins, 6 power play goals, 2 short-handed goals, 1 game-winning goal, and 14 penalty minutes in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Beckham Edwards can play any forward role, but I believe he will end up playing center in the NHL. Beckham Edwards is enrolling at Notre Dame this Fall.