2026 NHL Draft Results

Round 2

Victoriaville Tigres center Egor Shilov was my eighteenth best player in the 2026 NHL Draft. Find out who got him in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 27, 2026.

33. Vancouver Canucks: Brooks Rogowski, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Vancouver gets their 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 wins, 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.
    
    
    
34. Chicago Blackhawks: Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Chicago already has stability at center with Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell last years third overall pick, Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore their second 2023 first round pick that was ranked in my top 10, and Sasha Boisvert their second 2024 first round pick all having NHL experience. The Blackhawks also have stability at goalie. Chicago now has Bowen Byram and Artyom Levshunov the defenseman they drafted second overall in 2024 on the first line with Levshunov as a number two defenseman on a top line instead of a number one defenseman. Sam Rinzel their third 2022 first round pick would compliment Alex Vlasic a 2019 second round pick on the second line. Chicago would also have Kevin Korchinski their first player drafted seventh overall in 2022 and Wyatt Kaiser a 2020 third round pick as their two third line defenseman. With that defensive core helping goalies like Spencer Knight and Drew Comesso out, the Chicago Blackhawks would finally get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Connor Bedard beginning his lengthy contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks following his rookie deal. Adam Gajan, their 2023 second round pick who was one of the top five goalies in the 2023 NHL Draft signed his rookie deal with the Chicago Blackhawks and will begin developing in the AHL next year with the Rockford IceHogs following his time in the NCAA.
    
    
    
    Chicago is getting a defenseman here. 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 while I knew Lane Hutson would be a stud since he was the number one defender on the USNTDP USHL team despite his size. My friend believes I am overthinking this and that I am wrong.
    
    
    
    Xavier Villeneuve had a 30 for defensive play and physicality out of 100 according to NHL Network despite getting a 90/100 in the other four categories. He is saying the right things in the interview process and believes he is the next Lane Hutson since he models his game after the former Montreal Canadiens Calder Trophy Winner. Does he follow it up with his actions and his work ethic? That and how much he improves as he physically develops determines if he succeeds or fails.
    
    
    
    I'm giving Chicago an A+ grade since they got a player I had a first round grade on. I also will not be shocked if he becomes a bigger disappointment than Tristan Luneau on the Anaheim Ducks because his actions as a defenseman are not congruent with either 2022 prospect that he's been most commonly compared to whether that is Lane Hutson of Montreal or Tristan Luneau of Anaheim. My gut is telling me he will bust unless his physicality skyrockets by the time he's 21. We will see what happens with Xavier Villeneuve.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Chicago Blackhawks: Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Chicago 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 line. He got drafted by Chicago in the early second round. Like Xavier Villeneuve, he did not test well analytically as a defender or a player that excels when it comes to using his size in addition to his physicality scoring a 30/100 in both of those six categories on NHL Network.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
36. Calgary Flames: Chase Harrington, LW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL) A Grade
    
    
    Calgary 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 Calgary can stash and develop. He is someone that could contribute at left winger immediately when one of Calgary's core left wingers becomes a UFA. NHL prospects at the 2026 NHL Combine said Chase Harrington was the toughest player to play against. Calgary probably should have taken Chase Harrington at 30 before doubling up with multiple Youngstown Phantoms in Tobias Trejbal and Jack Hextall in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
37. New Jersey Devils: Matias Vanhanen, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    New Jersey drafts a future left winger. 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.
    
    
    
38. Seattle Kraken: Casey Mutryn, RW, USNTDP (USHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Seattle goes for a stash and develop player. Casey Mutryn is a long-term project with the size of a first round winger that will not enroll in in the NCAA at Boston College until 2027. His father is former New England Patriots fourth string quarterback and former Amsterdam Admirals backup quarterback Scott Mutryn who beat out Matt Hasselbeck for the starting quarterback job at Boston College before getting benched for Matt Hasselbeck at Boston College.
    
    
    
    Casey Mutryn has the skating, passing, vision, offensive awareness, and defensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. Casey Mutryn's floor is a first line right winger on an AHL team and his ceiling is a second line right winger on an NHL team if you remain patient with him. He still needs to develop his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy with his shot more than likely not being refined until after he's done with college. You are more than likely getting a back 6 right winger on the third or fourth line that can be a second line penalty killer at the wing in short-handed situations as well.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 200 lb Casey Mutryn only had 7 goals, 9 assists, and 16 points in 25 USHL games in 2025-2026. He still has one more year of eligiblity in the USHL before he enrolls at Boston College. He had 18 goals, 28 assists, and 46 points on the USA Under 18 Team, but struggled against men in the USHL. That can be an indicator that Mutryn is more likely to be an AHL player than an NHL player. It's too early to tell if that's the case, since we won't know until next year before he enrolls at Boston College. Casey Mutryn does have the potential to develop into a second line right winger on an NHL team, but also probably will not reach the NHL until 2030 which is why I have him as my one hundred first best player in this draft.
    
    
    
    Casey Mutryn does have the size, physicality, and work ethic to succeed in the NHL. If he gets drafted before the fourth round where I have him, which is possible since most have a second round grade on Mutryn, it will be due to his physical tools and traits. Since Seattle listened to me by taking a player I mocked to them they get another A+ grade even if they took Mutryn in the second despite me having him in the fourth.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Pittsburgh Penguins: Markus Ruck, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Florida Gators had the Pouncey twins Maurkice and Mike Pouncey, I forgot that the Dolphins drafted Mike Pouncey, but the Steelers wanted both Pouncey twins. The Pittsburgh Penguins get the Ruck Twins.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    The Ruck Twins will play with Medicine Hat for one more year. Then they go to North Dakota. Then Wilkes-Barre Scranton in the AHL. If they pass all of those rigors, then you are looking at NHL oportunities down the road.
    
    
    
40. Florida Panthers: Simas Ignatavicius, LW, Geneve-Servette HC (National League A) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Florida Panthers have Carter Verhaghe as their first line left winger until 2033, Aleksander Barkov, their second overall pick from the 2013 NHL Draft as their first line center as well as team captain, and Sam Reinhart as their first line right winger. Florida has Brady Tkachuk the former Ottawa Senators captain as their second line left winger is under contract until 2028, Sam Reinhart as their second line center, and Matthew Tkachuk as their second line right winger. Florida has Brad Marchand as their third line left winger until 2031, Anton Lundell their 2020 first round pick as their third line center, and Garnet Hathaway as their third line right winger in a contract year next season. Florida has Eetu Luostarinen as their fourth line left winger in a contract year next season, Angus Crookshank as their fourth line center, Jonah Gadjovich as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    Florida will have Aaron Ekblad their first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and Seth Jones back as their two first line defensemen. Gustav Forsling and Niko Mikkola are the two second line defensemen with both defenders back. Dmitry Kulikov is the number five defenseman anchoring the third line, but he has experience on both the first and second lines as well. Uvis Balinskis and Donovan Sebrango an RFA are competing for the sixth and final spot on Florida's third line.
    
    
    
    Both of Florida's goalies Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov are UFA's. Florida will need a starting goalie as well as backup goalie. Florida is also at the tipping point where they need to draft a goalie and add him to their prospect pool. Florida traded for Jacob Markstrom their former goalie who started for the New Jersey Devils the past two years.
    
    
    
    Florida drafts a left winger for the future. Simas Ignatavicius has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger.
    
    
    
    Simas Ignatavicius 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. This is a player with the ceiling to develop into a second line forward on an NHL team at any of the three forward roles at left winger, center, or right winger.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 201 lb Simas Ignatavicius had 7 goals, 6 assists, 13 points, and a +7 +/- ratio against men in Switzerland in 2025-2026. Simas Ignatavicius had 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, 0 penalty minutes, and a +4 +/- ratio in 11 games in the 2026 National League A Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Simas Ignatavicius was born in Memphis Tennessee, but has duel citizenship also having citizenship in Lithuania. He ended up playing hockey overseas in Switzerland. Simas Ignatavicius could go anywhere between the late first round and the early fourth round with most mocking him in the early second round. The very top of the fourth round is the latest he would fall. I mocked him in the fourth round since his ceiling is a second line left winger, but he's a consensus second round prospect and he would start out as a third line left winger behind Carter Verhaghe and Brad Marchand. He could end up succeeding Marchand and playing a complimentary second line left winger role behind Verhaeghe down the road which is why this is an excellent value pick that warrants an A+ grade.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Vancouver Canucks: Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW, Orebro HK (Elitserien) A+ Grade
    
    
    Niklas Aaram-Olsen 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. Niklas Aaram-Olsen was a second line left winger on the Orebro HK Under 20 Team, but he was a first line left winger on Norway in the Under 18 World Junior Championships and the Under 20 World Junior Championships making him the eighty fifth player with first line experience or potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Niklas Aaram-Olsen had 20 goals, 20 assists, and 40 points on Orebro HK's Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Niklas Aaram-Olsen had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 16 games on Orebro HK's main roster in the SHL in the league once known as Elitserien in Sweden. Niklas Aaram-Olsen can play on the power play as well as the penalty killing unit as he was the final player in The Hockey News top 32 to crack my 2026 NHL Mock Draft.
    
    
    
    Niklas Aaram-Olsen wouldn't have to worry about playing on the top line with this draft Adam Novotny, Caleb Malhotra, and Brooks Rogowski. He would be able to be more effective on a second line if he develops into a top six forward.
    
    
    
42. Calgary Flames: Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Tobias Trejbal was my only goalie with a first round grade in the entire 2026 NHL Draft. Calgary was the very last team that I expected him to end up on though since they gave their starting goalie Dustin Wolf a contract extension where Dustin Wolf, Calgary's 2019 seventh round pick is not a UFA until 2033.
    
    
    
    Calgary 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 the one postion Calgary has stability at is at goalie. Tobias Trejbal is going to play college hockey in the NCAA at the Unversity of Massachusetts.
    
    
    
    Tobias Trejbal could be ready for the NHL by January 2029 if his career arch is excactly identical to his prdecessor Jacob Fowler. With Dustin Wolf locked up until 2033, my guess is he goes to Massachusetts for three years and then signs a three year two-way rookie contract where he starts out with the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL and works his way up to the Calgary Flames in the NHL. He could end up spending just one year or all three years on that two-way contract. After that, he would be an RFA where he would take less money to get a guaranteed one-way contract where he would learn under Dustin Wolf. If Trejbal arrives in the NHL sooner, there's a chance Wolf could be moved for a kings ransom if Calgary isn't a playoff team by the time Trejbal makes the NHL.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Colorado Avalanche: Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche has Gabriel Landeskog their 2011 first round pick drafted second overall as their first line left winger, Nathan MacKinnon drafted first overall in the 2013 NHL Draft as their first line center, and Martin Necas as their first line right winger. Colorado has Artturi Lehkonen as their second line left winger in the final year of his contract, Brock Nelson as their second line center, and Valeri Nichushkin as their second line right winger. Colorado has Nazem Kadri as their third line left winger, Nicholas Roy as their third line center in a contract year next season, and Logan O'Connor as their third line right winger. Colorado has Parker Kelly as their fourth line left winger, Fydor Svechkov as their fourth line center, and Zakhar Bardakov whose an RFA as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche have Cale Makar the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft as their number one defenseman and Devon Toews as their number two defenseman on the first line. Colorado has Brent Kulak and Josh Manson complimenting each other on the second line. Colorado has Sam Malinski and Brent Burns complimenting each other on the third line. Colorado has all six defensemen from last years President's Trophy team locked up.
    
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche have starting goalie Scott Wedgewood in a contract year and Mackenzie Blackwood locked up until 2030 even though he's now the backup goalie. Ilya Nabokov their 2024 second round pick and the first goalie drafted two years ago is also in Colorado's prospect pool. Maggnus Chrona who used to play college hockey at Denver is also now on the Colorado Avalanche and will compete with Ilya Nabakov for the starting goalie role in the AHL.
    
    
    
    Colorado got my eighteenth best player as a center for the future. Egor Shilov also spelled Yegor Shilov was drafted third overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. The Russian center had a great rookie season in the QMJHL.
    
    
    
    Egor 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. Egor Shilov is the eighteenth player with experience and potential to play on a first line in the NHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Egor 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. Egor Shilov is going to return to the Victoriaville Tigres this Fall. He will enroll at Penn State in 2027.
    
    
    
    Nate MacKinnon and Fydor Svechkov, Nashville's 2021 first round pick that Joe Sakic traded for before the 2026 NHL Draft, are the only two centers locked up on Colorado long-term with MacKinnon under contract until 2031 with the former first overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft at center with many considering MacKinnon a unanimous top five center in the NHL, and Svechkov an RFA being the only long-term centers under contract. Nicholas Roy, the third line center is a UFA in 2027. Brock Nelson, Colorado's current second line center is now under contract until 2028 which is the earliest Egor Shilov could sign his rookie deal also known as an NHL entry-level contract which is a standard three year two-way contract where players can go between the AHL minor leagues and the NHL major leagues for hockey with Shilov competing with guys in camp for an NHL roster spot meaning if he gets the NHL roster spot he goes straight to the NHL and if he doesn't ge thte NHL roster spot he would develop on the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche minor league team in the AHL.
    
    
    
    If Egor Shilov improves on this season during his next two seasons on the Victoriaville Tigres in 2026-2027 and the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2027-2028. He would probably spend either 2028-2029 on the Colorado Eagles or COlorado Avalanche depending on how he performs in the NHL mini camp. There is also the possibility that Egor Shilov needs more time to develop at Penn State if he struggles with his transition from the QMJHL to Penn State. If he goes from Penn State to the AHL before going to the NHL which is what second round picks do, there is the possibility he gets groomed to be MacKinnon's successor as a first line center on an NFL team too. With how dominant Shilov was as a rookie, along with the fact that 10/15 scouting services including Draft Utopia had him in their top 32, there's a good chance Egor Shilov at least has a rookie contract by 2028 with him possibly in the NHL in 2028. He could also end up getting one more year in the QMJHL, three years at Penn State, and three years on a two-way contract where he starts out on the Colorado Eagles in the AHL in either 2028 or 2029 before becoming a full-time member of the Colorado Avalanche in 2030. There are all different sorts of development paths for Egor Shilov's hockey career that Shilov could end up taking and honestly, that is the most compelling thing about Egor Shilov's career path.
    
    
    
44. New Jersey Devils: Nikita Shcherbakov, D, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) C Grade
    
    
    New Jersey continues to draft defense. New Jersey takes a top four defenseman that can develop into a second line defenseman in the fourth round. I got a fourth round grade on Nikita Shcherbakov and that is because I cannot see him becoming anything more than a second line defenseman in the NHL.
    
    
    
    Nikita Shcherbakov has the playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Nikita Shcherbakov has the floor of a number seven defenseman first line AHL or NHL scratch with the ceiling of a number three defenseman on the second line. He can play on the power play or kill penalties. He's not a great skater or shooter. That needs to get cleaned up in Russia before he heads over to the NHL as his contract in Russia expires after next season. You can get him on an AHL team if you draft him by 2027, but he still needs to fix his skating, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot power. He will be spending his entire rookie contract on an AHL team and will not see the NHL until 2030 at the earliest. He does have the ceiling to be an effective number four defenseman in the NHL though as a complimentary piece on a second line.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 187 lb Nikita Shcherbakov had 0 goals, 10 assists, and 10 points in 15 MHL games in the MHL in 2025-2026. Nikita Shcherbakov had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 35 games in the VHL in 2025-2026. Nikita Shcherbakov had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 7 KHL games in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Anaheim Ducks: Jayden Kurtz, D, Rogers HS (MN) B Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    I had Jayden Kurtz going to the Flyers in the second round. Anaheim drafted him to be a replacement to Olen Zellwegger their 2021 second round pick. Jayden Kurtz is a long-term project, but he should be on Anaheim's NHL roster without having to jump through hoops on the San Diego Gulls in the AHL by 2030 at the very latest.
    
    
    
46. Los Angeles Kings: Liam Lefebvre, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings draft a right winger for the future. Liam Lefebvre makes a lot of sense here as he will head off to Vermont to play college hockey in the Fall.
    
    
    
    Liam Lefebvre 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. Liam Lefebvre is the seventy first player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 197 lb Liam Lefebvre had 32 goals, 27 assists, 59 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 2025-2026. Liam Lefebre had 5 goals, 7 assists, 12 points, and a +6 +/- ratio in 20 games helping the Chicoutimi Sagueneens win the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs where they dethroned the defending champion Moncton Wildcats.
    
    
    
    I already gave the Los Angeles Kings Elton Hermansson in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Los Angeles got my top right winger on the board in Liam Greentree in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Los Angeles gets another right winger that they can stash and develop at Vermont starting in the Fall of 2026. Not only will this right winger trio be deadly down the road in the years to come. This right winger depth will make the Onterio Reign a force in the AHL.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Detroit Red Wings: Victor Plante, LW, USNTDP (USHL) C+ grade
    
    
    Detroit drafts a winger to stash and develop too. Victor Plante is the younger brother of Max Plante, this years Hobey Baker Award Winner, College Hockey's version of the Heisman Trophy. Max Plante already came out and said Victor is a better player than he is which is a heck of an endorsement. Victor Plante has the versatility to play both winger roles at left winger and right winger. Victor Plante is also the son of former Stanley Cup Champion Derek Plante who got traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Dallas Stars during the 1998-1999 NHL Season when the Stars defeated the Sabres in the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals.
    
    
    
    Victor Plante has the versatility, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, and wrist shot accuracy to succeed in the NHL. Victor Plante is undersized, a bland skater with a choppy stride, needs to develop his slap shot in terms of both shooting power as well as shooting accuracy on his slap shot, and he is a liability defensively.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 156 lb Victor Plante had 8 goals, 10 assists, and 18 points in 20 USHL games against men in 2025-2026. He also posted 21 goals, 27 assists, and 48 points on the US Under 18 team against kids his own age versus men in 2025-2026. Victor Plante's floor is a third line left winger in the AHL and his ceiling is a second line left winger in the NHL. That averages out to a fourth line left winger projection in the NHL. Victor Plante is going to Minnesota-Duluth to play with his older brother this Fall.
    
    
    
48. Florida Panthers: Ryder Cali, C, North Bay Battalion (OHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Florida drafts a center for the future. Ryder Cali is the best center available and he will enroll at Providence this Fall. Ryder Cali has the versatility to play all three forward roles left winger, center, and right wingers. Ryder Cali was also a first round pick by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the 2024 OHL Draft, but he never played a game there and was eventually traded to the North Bay Battalion.
    
    
    
    Ryder Cali has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, versatility, 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. Ryder Cali is the sixty ninth player with experience or potential to play on the first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 209 lb Ryder Cali had 16 goals, 20 assists, 36 points, a +2 +/- ratio, 24 penalty minutes, 225 face off wins, 114 shots on goal, 5 game-winning goals, 3 power play goals, ad 1 short-handed-goal in 47 OHL games in 2025-2026. Ryder Cali had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 10 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Los Angeles Kings: Adam Goljer, D, HK Dukla Trencin (Tipos) C Grade
    
    
    Los Angeles drafts a second line defenseman to stash and develop. Adam Goljer was arguably the top prospect in Tipos this Fall, but he didn't enter the Fall as the top prospect. His defensive play leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft has made him the top prospect from Slovakia in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Adam Goljer has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Adam Goljer has the floor of a number seven defenseman anchoring the first line in the AHL and the ceiling of a number three defenseman anchoring the second line defense on an NHL team. I believe he will be a number five or a number four, but his skill set as a two-way defender, his ability to be a quarterback on the power play, his ability to kill penalties, and the fact that he took a shutout into the third period has me believing he can be a very effective number four defenseman that rounds out your NHL teams top 4 defense once he finishes developing with the ability to be a second line power play defender and a second line penalty killing defenseman if your NHL team needs that.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 194 lb Adam Goljer had 4 goals, 7 assists, and 11 points in 43 games with HK Dukla Trencin in 2025-2026. Adam Goljer had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 7 games during the 2026 Tipos Playoffs.
    
    
    
50. Anaheim Ducks: Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL) A Grade
    
    
    Mathis Preston has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. 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. He could be Anaheim's second line right winger down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Carolina Hurricanes: William Hakansson, D, Lulea HF (Elitserien) A+ Grade
    
    
    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. William Hakansson was my only first round defender still on the board. The scary thing is Carolina traded down twice in the draft an still got him.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
52. Tampa Bay Lightning: Oleg Kulebiakin, LW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    Oleg Kulebiakin is a second line winger. He has the versatility to play right winger or left winger. Oleg Kulebiakin was drafted ninth overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    Oleg Kulebiakin has the speed, burst, versatility, skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He needs to improve his defensive awareness if he wants to reach his potential as a second line winger at either left winger or right winger in the NHL.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 177 lb Oleg Kulebiakin had 29 goals, 44 assists, 73 points, 173 shots on goal, 30 penalty minutes, 6 game-winning goals, 4 power play goals, and 4 super short handed goals in 64 games in 2025-2026. Oleg Kulebiakin had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 4 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Tampa Bay has stability at both first line left winger and first line right winger. That's why I think they can trade up for a winger they want and groom him to be a second line winger. Any other team without that stability gets a C+ grade, but Tampa Bay gets an A+ here.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Philadelphia Flyers: Brek Liske, D, Everett Silvertips (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Philadelphia Flyers 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 in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    I had a mid second round grade on Brek Liske. I think drafting Brek Liske at the end of the first round versus Maksim Sokolovskii would have been a much better decision, but Philadelphia got their man in Brek Liske in the second round as well as a guy that can develop into a number one or number two defenseman on a top line.
    
    
    
54. Pittsburgh Penguins: Tomas Galvas, D, HC Bili Tygri Liberec (Extraliga) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Utah Mammoth get a defenseman on a first line with the last pick in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Some believe Tomas Galvas is the best twenty-year-old player in the 2026 NHL Draft as well as the top player in the Czech Republic's professional league Extraliga.
    
    
    
    Tomas Galvas has the speed, explosion, burst, 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. Tomas Galvas is the eighty seventh player with first line experience and potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 168 lb Tomas Galvas had 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points, and a +10 +/- ratio in 43 games with HC Bili Tygri Liberec in Extraliga in 2024-2025. Tomas Galvas had 8 goals, 16 assists, 24 points, and a +16 +/- ratio in 32 games with HC Bili Tygri Liberec in Extraliga in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Tomas Galvas was the Extraliga defenseman of the year this year. He finally gets drafted after going undrafted in 2024 and 2025. The Pittsburgh Penguins got all A+ grades in the 2024 NHL Draft. They are on pace to do that again with this draft class.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Calgary Flames: Alan Shaikhlislamov, RW, Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) C Grade
    
    
    The Calgary Flames draft a right winger with potential to be a second line right winger. Alan Shaikhlislamov has the versatility to play both winger roles at left winger and right winger.
    
    
    
    Alan Shakhlislamov has the versatility, 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. Alan Shakhlislamov is a second line winger at left winger or right winger.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Alan Shakhlislamov finally made his KHL debut only played in 1 KHL game with 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points. He improved his point total from 20 goals, 13 assists, and 33 points in the MHL in 2024-2025 to 18 goals, 17 assists, and 35 points in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
56. Boston Bruins: Yuri Ivanov, G, Spartak Moscow (KHL) C- Grade
    
    
    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 drafted two goalies. I intially thought they drafted three goalies. The goalie they got in the sixth round was better than this pick.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Montreal Canadiens: Timofei Runtso, D, Victoria Royals (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Montreal drafts Timofei Runtso. Timofei Runtso 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.
    
    
    
    Montreal got much better value here. If they had drafted Timofei Runtso over Gleb Pugachyov their first round grade would have been higher.
    
    
    
58. Edmonton Oilers: Rudolfs Berzkalns, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) B+ Grade
    
    
    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 gets a long-term center prospect with their first pick in the second round. Rudolfs Berzkalns was the Muskegon Lumberjacks first round pick in the 2024 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Rudolfs Berzkalns 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. Rudolph Berzkalnsis can develop into a second line center on an NHL team down the road.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 205 lb Rudolfs Berzkalns had 5 goals, 3 assists, and 8 points, in 43 USHL games with the 2025 Clark Cup Champion Muskegeon Lumberacks as a rookie in 2024-2025. Rudolfs Berzkalns had 13 goals, 12 assists, 25 points, 39 penalty minutes, and a +7 +/- ratio in 48 USHL games with the Muskegeon Lumberjacks in 2025-2026. Rudolfs Berzkalns had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 16 games during the 2026 USHL Playoffs. Rudolfs Berzkalns is heading to Boston College this Fall.
    
    
    
    Rudolfs Berzkalns would have gotten a C grade if a team without a long-term first line center drafted him. Edmonton extended Leon Draisaitl and will have him even if Connor McDavid leaves in a few years. If McDavid stays with Edmonton, Berzkalns will be the perfect fit as a third line center down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
59. Dallas Stars: Jakub Vanecek, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    Dallas 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 6-2 203 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 enroll at Western Michigan in 2027.
    
    
    
    Tristan Bertucci will probably replace Tyler Myers either next season or for the 2027-2028 NHL Season. Aram Minnetan looks like he will be the Nils Lundqvist replacement. I believe Miro Heiskanen will get extended before his contract is up in 2029. That means Jakub Vanecek is more than likely the Esa Lindell replacement on the Dallas Stars down the road as Esa Lindell's contract is up in 2031.
    
    
    
    I had Jakub Vanecek at 38 on my big board. He was the best defenseman on my 2026 NHL Draft Simulator when Dallas picked at 59. Jim Nill said that Dallas had a late first on him one year after the Dallas Stars director of scouting said that the Stars had a first on their 2025 third round pick Cameron Schmidt making this the second year in a row the Stars got a player in their top thirty two without having a first round pick. Dallas currently has their first round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
60. Toronto Maple Leafs: Alexander Bilecki, D, Kitchener Rangers (OHL) C Grade
    
    
    Alexander Bilecki 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. This was the number five defenseman that anchored the third line on the Kitchener Rangers team that won the 2026 Memorial Cup.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Alexander Bilecki had 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points, a +4 +/- ratio, 40 shots on goal, and 29 penalty minutes in 45 games as a rookie with the Kitchener Rangers in 2024-2025. Alexander Bilecki had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 assists in 3 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Alexander Bilecki had 9 goals, 20 assists, 29 points, a +16 +/- ratio, 123 shots on goal, 2 game-winning-goals and 1 power play goal in 66 OHL games in 2025-2026. Alexander Bilecki had 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points, and a +7 +/- ratio in 18 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    There were better defenders on the board. This was a reach taking a bottom pairing defenseman in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
61. Carolina Hurricanes: Wiggo Sorensson, RW, Boro Vetlanda HC (Hockey Ettan)
    
    
    Carolina got a future first line right winger. Wiggo Sorsensson will get to learn one of the best.
    
    
    
    Wiggo Sorensson plays on Boro Vetlanda HC a Divsion 2 hockey league in Sweden. He did well there, but didn't face the strongest level of competiton in Sweden until he played on the Vaxjo Lakers on a loan. Wiggo Sorensson has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. I think right winger is his best role though.
    
    
    
    Wiggo Sorensson has the 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. Wiggo Sorensson was a first line right winger on Boro Vetlanda HC in Hockey Ettan. He also played on the Vaxjo Lakers in the SHL on a loan this season. This is the sixty second player with experience or potential to play on a first line outside of the top 3 goalies in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 181 lb Wiggo Sorensson had 20 goals, 18 assists, and 38 points in 29 games with Boro Vetlanda HC in 2025-2026. Wiggo Sorensson had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 8 games during the 2026 Hockey Ettan Playoffs. Wiggo Sorensson is under contract in Sweden for one more year, but he can sign his entry level contract in 2027.
    
    
    
62. Philadelphia Flyers: Martin Psohlavec, G, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Extraliga) C Grade
    
    
    The Philadelphia Flyers drafted a goalie t stash and develop. They took a goalie I had a fourth round grade on.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 185 lb Martin Psohlavec had a 1.92 goals against average which was the second best GAA of any goalie in the 2026 NHL Draft, a .928 save percentage which may be the best save percentage I've seen, and an exceptionally impressive 8 shutouts in 42 games with HC Energie Karlovy Vary's Under 20 Team against adolescents, but not men in 2025-2026. He also went 5-3 in 8 playoff games with a 1.78 goals against agverage, .925 save percentage, and had 3 shutouts in 5 of his playoff wins.
    
    
    
    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. Martin Psohlavec checked off 8/10 boxes and needs to improve his post save recovery and puckhandling. He made 35 saves in a tournament game leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
63. New York Rangers: Ben MacBeath, D, Calgary Hitmen A- Grade
    
    
    New York drafts a defenseman here, Ben MacBeath is raw, but he's someone that can develop into a first line defesneman in the HL. I can see why some have him in the late first and early second round after watching his tape.
    
    
    
    Ben MacBeath has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ben MacBeath is the eighty eighth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 181 lb Ben MacBeath had 7 goals, 44 assists, a +5 +/- ratio, 122 shots on goal, a +5 +/- ratio, 1 power play goal, and 1 game-winning goal in 67 WHL games with the Calgary Hitme in 2025-2026. Ben MacBeath had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 7 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.