2026 NHL Draft Results

Round 3

Owen Sound Attack captain Pierce Mbuyi fell to the third round find out who got him. He was the only first round player left on my board.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 28, 2026.

64. Calgary Flames: Joe Iginla, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL) C Grade
    
    
    Joe Iginla is the younger brother of 2024 first round pick Tij Iginla who was drafted sixth overall by Utah and the youngest son of former NHL player Jarome Iginla. The Edmonton Oil Kings drafted Joe Iginla twelfth overall in the 2023 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Joe Iginla 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, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Joe Iginla has the floor of a first line right winger in the AHL and the ceiling of a first line right winger making him the ninty third player with first line experience or potential in the 2026 NHL Draft. Joe Iginla got traded from the Edmonton Oil Kings to the Vancouver Giants in the middle of the season.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 175 lb Joe Iginla only had 9 goals, 7 assists, and 16 points in 61 WHL games with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2024-2025. Joe Iginla had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 3 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Joe Iginla can hit shots in the upper corner of the goalie net just like Anton Frondell. Not only does Iginla do that, he did that in a game on film against the eventual WHL Champion Medicine Hat Tigers. Joe Iginla had 15 goals, 16 assists, and 31 points in 59 WHL games in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Calgary got Jarome Iginla in a trade with the Dallas Stars for Joe Nieuwendyk. Now they drafted his youngest son Joe Iginla. Many will say this is a reach until the sixth or seventh round. I gave Calgary a C grade since they had Jarome Iginla for many years.
    
    
    
65. Chicago Blackhawks: Samu Alalauri, D, Lahti Pelicans (SM Liiga) A+ Grade
    
    
    Chicago 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.
    
    
    
    
    
66. New York Rangers: Danai Shaiikov, G, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    There were only four goalies that checked all 10 boxes for me out the 24 in my mock draft. New York drafted one of those goalies, but they took the goalie among those four that I projected in the seventh round. That's the biggest reason I gave the Rangers an A+ grade. New York also drafted two good defensemen before this in Albert Smits and Ben MacBeath which warranted A- grades.
    
    
    
    Danai Shaiikov, a goalie from Kazakhstan is the best goale on the board and was the Gatineau Olympiques 2025 second round pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 186 lb Danai Shaiikov had a 2.78 goals against average, .903 save percentage, and 3 shutouts posting a 18-28 record in 46 starts playing 50 games with the Gatineau Olympiques in the QMJHL in 2025-2026. Danai Shaiikov went 3-4 with a 2.86 goals against average and a .897 save percentage in 7 games during the 2026 QMJHL 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. Danai Shaiikov is the fourth goalie to check off every box joining Tobias Trejbal, Brady Knowling, and Patriks Plumins as the only goalies to check off all ten boxes as Danai Shaiikov played for Avangard Omsk's MHL team in Russia before the Kazakhstan native got drafted by the Gatineau Olympiques in the 2025 CHL Import Draft making Danai Shaiikov the fourth goalie out of twenty four goalies in this mock draft to check every box.
    
    
    
    New York has Igor Shesterkin and Dylan Garand at goalie. New York drafts another goalie that could start for the Hartford Wolfpack down the road and may get the opportunity to be Igor Shesterkin's backup if someone else trades for Dylan Garand by gambling on him to be a starting goalie down the road.
    
    
    
67. Carolina Hurricanes: Zachary Lansard, RW, Regina Pats (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Carolina gets another 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. Carolina took two future right wingers with first line potential in Wiggo Sorsenson and Zachary Lansard. With Seth Jarvis on Carolina approaching his prime, I don't think either guy will be on the first line, but these two could end up as second line third line players on Carolina down the road. We'll see.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    
    
68. Toronto Maple Leafs: Ethan MacKenzie, D, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Toronto 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.
    
    
    
69. Nashville Predators: Dmitry Borichev, G, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) A Grade
    
    
    Nashville drafts their goalie of the future here. Dmitry Borichev makes a lot of sense here if he's still available in the second round. Nashville got him at the top of the third round and now has another goalie that can push Jack Ivankovic to be their goalie of the future one Jusse Saros retires.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    
    
70. Winnipeg Jets: Samuel Hrenak, G, Fargo Force (USHL) B Grade
    
    
    Winnipeg just drafted their goalie of the future. Connor Hellebuyck is still Winnipeg's goalie, but this guy might be the Jets future starter if Hellebuyck is traded.
    
    
    
    Samuel Hrenak is the only other goalie outside of Tobias Trejbal that I watched record a shutout, but Hrenak only had 23 saves in his shutout compared to the 33 saves Trejbal had. Samuel Hrenak is the younger brother of Los Angeles Kings 2018 fifth round pick David Hrenak who played at St. Cloud State. Samuel Hrenak has a very small sample size with only 9 starts in the USHL and he hasn't committed to a college yet.
    
    
    
    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. Samuel Hrenak checked off 8/10 boxes, but needs to improve his his post save recovery and also needs to make more saves with his blocker pad more consistently as he relies on his glove to cover up pucks.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 183 lb Samuel Hrenak went 7-1-1 in 9 starts, had a 2.20 goals against average, .918 save percentage, and 1 shutout with the Fargo Force in 2025-2026. Samuel Hrenak also dominated at goalie for Slovakia at the Under 18 World Junior Championships. This is the only goalie I've seen on tape score an empty-net goal too.
    
    
    
71. Ottawa Senators: Adam Nemec, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    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 Ottawa has to secure him to an entry-level contract.
    
    
    
    
    
72. Toronto Maple Leafs: Zach Olsen, RW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
73. Colorado Avalanche: Beckett Hamilton, C, Red Deer Rebels (WHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Colorado uses this second round pick to draft another center to stash and develop. Colorado now has Egor Shilov and Beckett Hamilton as center prospects in their prospect pool. Outside of Nate MacKinnon and Fyodor Svechkov, the two centers they have in Brock Nelson and Nicholas Roy are UFA's in 2027 and 2028 respectively. Shilov and Hamilton will both get ample time to develop, but both are gonna be plug in play centers behind MacKinnon on the second and third line whenever Nelson and Roy do end up leaving Colorado.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
74. St. Louis Blues: Luke Schairer, D, USNTDP (USHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues draft my top player on the USNTDP team that can arrive in the NHL 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.
    
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
75. Toronto Maple Leafs: Mans Gudmundsson, D, Farjestads BK (Elitserien) A+ Grade
    
    
    Toronto drafts a defenseman. 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.
    
    
    
    
    
76. New York Rangers: Charlie Morrison, D, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) B Grade
    
    
    The New York Rangers draft a guy that can develop into a top four defenseman. That's exactly what Charlie Morrison does in the late fourth round. The New York Rangers took him a round earlier than I thought he would go. New York has five defensemen with first line experience Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavirkov, Braden Schneider, Albert Smits who they drated fifth overall, and Ben MacBeath, the guy they drafted in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft. New York also has EJ Emery a 2024 frst round pick in their prospect pool. This means Charlie Morrison will more than likely go to Connecticut for three years, then the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL on his three year rookie contract before he would get an opportunity to play with the Rangers.
    
    
    
    Charlie Morrison 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. Charlie Morrison is a number four defenseman that will compliment your second line.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 193 lb Charlie Morrison had 2 goals, 13 assists, and 15 points in 63 QMJHL games in 2024-2025. Charlie Morrison had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2025 QMJHL Playoffs. Charlie Morrison had 4 goals, 9 assists, 13 points, and a +8 +/- ratio in 2025-2026. Charlie Morrison had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 10 games in the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs. Charlie Morrison is heading to Connecticut this Fall.
    
    
    
77. Vancouver Canucks: Dmitri Ivchenko, G, Avangard Omsk, (KHL) A Grade
    
    
    Vancouver drafts their goalie of the future here. Dmitry Ivchenko wasn't a goalie I included in my 2026 NHL Mock Draft, but I can see why Vancouver drafted him in the third round of the 2026 NHLD raft.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 179 lb Dmitri Ivchenko had a 11-5-1 record in 17 starts playing in 19 games posting a 1.91 goals against average, a .922 save percentage, and 4 shutouts with Avangard Omsk's MHL team in 2025-2026. Dmitri Ivchenko was the only other goalie outside of Dmitri Borichev to check off 9/10 boxes which is pretty ironic since I just watched his tape after the 2026 NHL Draft ended since this goalie wasn't in my initial mock draft.
    
    
    
    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 Ivchenko checked off 9/10 boxes, but needs to improve his puckhandling. I didn't include Ivchenko in my mock, but I can see why Vancouver took him.
    
    
    
    
    
78. Detroit Red Wings: Michal Orsulak, G, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) B Grade
    
    
    Detroit gets a goalie that they can stash and develop. With Sebastian Cossa being traded to Utah, backup goalie on the Grand Rapids Grifins is now a need unless Detroit goes after another goalie in Free Agency.
    
    
    
    Detroit drafts a goalie for the future. Michal Orsulak is the top goalie available as he was the Prince Albert Raiders first round pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 200 lb Michal Orsulak had a 28-4-4 record in 36 starts posting a 2.22 goals against average a .907 save percentage, and 4 shutouts with the Prince Albert Raiders in 2025-2026. Michal Orsulak had a 13-6-1 record with a 2.80 goals agianst average and .895 save percentage in 20 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs leading the Prince Albert Raiders to a Conference Title before losing to the Everett Silvertips in the 2026 WHL Championship.
    
    
    
    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. Michal Orsulak checked off 8/10 boxes, but needs to improve his his quickness and ability to make glove saves.
    
    
    
79. Los Angeles Kings: Blake Zielinski, C, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings get a USHL player to stash and develop. Blake Zielinski has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger, but I think he projects best as a center in the NHL. Blake Zielinski was drafted third overall by the Des Moines Buccaneers in the 2024 USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Blake Zielinski 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. Blake Zielinski or as I nicknamed him Mr. Steal Your Hockey Puck is a beast on the rush. I believe he will be a really good second line center on the right NHL team down the road in five years from now.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 188 lb Blake Zielinski had 13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a +5 +/- ratio in 41 USHL games with the Des Moines Buccaneers as a rookie in 2024-2025. Blake Zielinski had 25 goals, 30 assists, 55 points, 33 penalty minutes, and a +9 +/- ratio in 53 USHL games with the Des Moines Buccaneers in 2025-2026. Blake Zielinski is going to Providence this Fall and I believe Blake Zielinski will continue his success in the NCAA.
    
    
    
    
    
80. New York Rangers: Tomas Chrenko, C, HK Nitra (Tipos) B Grade
    
    
    New York drafts a center for the future. Tomas Chrenko was the second best player in Slovakia behind Adam Nemec in the preseason, but as the season progressed Nemec went to the OHL, and Chrenko did have a challenger for that top Slovakian spot in Adam Goljec.
    
    
    
    Tomas Chrenko 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. Tomas Chrenko may not be a top line forward, but he interviewed extremely well and he had the best interview of any player that wasn't on the top line. Tomas Chrenko could end up going a lot higher than this as I see him as someone that could be a very good second line center on an NHL team if he reaches his ceiling.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 170 lb Tomas Chrenko had 2 goals, 7 assists, and 9 points in 26 games in Tipos against the best men in Slovakia in 2024-2025. Tomas Chrenko had 9 goals, 22 assists, 31 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a +11 +/- ratio n 44 games in Tipos in 2025-2026. Tomas Chrenko had 2 goals, 10 assists, and 12 points in 19 games in the Tipos playoffs leading HK Nitra to a Championship in that league. His father of the same name played professionally in Slovakia and is also the General Manager of HK Nitra.
    
    
    
81. Anaheim Ducks: Rian Chudzinski, RW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) C Grade
    
    
    Rian Chudzinski was invited to camp for the Moncton Wildcats. He ended up making the final roster after being undrafted in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    Rian Chudzinski 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. Rian Chudzinski has the floor of a second line right winger in the AHL and the ceiling of a third line right winger in the NHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 190 lb Rian Chudzinski had 21 goals, 17 assists, 38 points, 103 shots on goal, 4 game-winning goals, 3 power play goals, and a +30 +/- ratio in 54 QMJHL games with the Moncton Wildcats in 2025-2026. Rian Chudzinski had 6 goals, 11 assists, 17 points, 26 penalty minutes, a +13 +/- ratio, and 52 shots on goal in 21 games during the 2026 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    
    
82. Minnesota Wild: Adam Andersson, C, Leksands IF F Grade
    
    
    Adam Andersson was a guy that had great tape in International tournaments. His tape on Leksands IF was horrible. That's the biggest reason why I gave the Minnesota Wild an F grade here.
    
    
    
83. Edmonton Oilers: Malcom Gastrin, LW, Modo Hockey (Elitserien) C+ Grade
    
    
    Malcom Gastrin is the younger brother of last years second round pick Milton Gastrin who went to the Washington Capitals in the second round. Malcom Gastrin is a pure left winger while Milton is a center.
    
    
    
    Malcom Gastrin 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. Malcom Gastrin is a player that could develop into a third line left winger on an NHL team.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 174 lb Malcol Gastrin had 9 goals, 16 assists,and 25 points in 24 games on the Modo Hockey Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Malcolm Gastrin had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 5 playoff games in the 2026 Playoffs.
    
    
    
    
    
84. Toronto Maple Leafs: Jusso Ainatso, G, Jokerit (KHL) F Grade
    
    
    Toronto just waisted this third round pick on a goalie. I think Toronto will have have to target a goalie of the future in 2027 if the guys in their NHL team struggle next year.
    
    
    
85. Pittsburgh Penguins: Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Pittsburgh got my final top thirty two player in the third round. Pierce Mbuyi could take over for Gavin McKenna at Penn State this Fall.
    
    
    
    Pierce Mbuyi was drafted seventh overall by the Owen Sound Attack in the 2024 OHL Draft. Pierce Mbuyi was a player I wasn't enamored with entering the OHL as I gave the Owen Sound Attack a B+ grade instead of an A+ grade when they drafted him, but he's lived up to the draft hype with a strong rookie season and looks like someone that is a strong bet to get picked in the back end of the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Pierce Mbuyi has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Pierce Mbuyi has the floor of a third line left winger in the NHL and ceiling of a first line left winger in the NHL making Pierce Mbuyi the twenty fourth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 153 lb Pierce Mbuyi had 29 goals, 23 assists, 52 points, 46 penalty minutes, and a +8 +/- ratio in 63 OHL games in 2024-2025. Pierce Mbuyi had 1 goal, 1 assists, and 2 points in 4 games in the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Pierce Mbuyi lined up as a first line left winger in one game recording a hat trick by scoring 3 goals in the first period. Pierce Mbuyi is the only player to do this in the 2026 NHL Draft. Pierce Mbuyi had 32 goals, 43 assists, and 75 points in 68 games with the Owen Sound Attack in 2025-2026. Pierce Mbuyi had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs. Pierce Mbuyi is going to Penn State this Fall and the only thing that you could argue drags him down to the second round is his size. If you look at just what he does on tape and look past the size, I'd argue he's a late first round prospect.
    
    
    
    
    
86. Ottawa Senators: Oscar Holmertz, C, Linkopings HC (Elitserien) C+ Grade
    
    
    The Ottawa Senators draft a center to stash and develop. Oscar Holmertz is one of the best centers in this draft that nobody is talking about.
    
    
    
    Oscar Holmertz 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. Oscar Holmertz is someone that can develop into a third line center on an NHL team.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 194 lb Oscar Holmertz had 13 goals, 23 assists, and 36 points with the Linkopings HC Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Oscar Holmertz will play for the Linkopings HC Under 20 and the Linkopings HC team in the SHL next season with his contract in Sweden running through 2028.
    
    
    
87. Boston Bruins: Nils Bartholdsson, RW, Rogle BK (Elitserien) A+ Grade
    
    
    Nils Bartholdsson on Rogle BK is one of the best right wingers from Sweden in the 2026 NHL Draft. Most have him projected at the end of the second round right now, but he's a player who could fall to the early portion of the third round. He fell to the Boston Bruins in the late third round.
    
    
    
    Nils Bartholdsson 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. Nils Bartholdsson has the floor of a first line right winger on an AHL team and the ceiling of a first line right winger on an NHL team making him the sixty third player in the 2026 NHL Draft with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 174 lb Nils Bartholdsson had 15 goals, 22 assists, 37 points, 39 penalty minutes, and a +2 +/- ratio in 39 games with the Rogle BK Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Nils Bartholdsson had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 6 playoff games in 2025. Nils Bartholdsson had 23 goals, 19 assists, and 42 points in 32 games in 2025-2026. Nils Bartholdsson had 9 goals, 8 assists, and 17 points in 9 games in 9 playoff games with the Rogle BK Under 20 Team in 2026.
    
    
    
    
    
88. Los Angeles Kings: Yegor Rybkin, G, Torpedo Nizhny Novogorod (KHL) A+ Grade
    
    
    Los Angeles drafts a goalie here that I had a third round grade on. Los Angeles has a lot of good goalies they drafted arriving on the Ontario Reign in the AHL next year like Carter George their 2024 second round pick. Yegor Rybkin is a good insurance policy and he will probably go back to Russia to develop for a few years in the KHL after playing in the MHL last year before he joins the Ontario Reign in the AHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 207 lb Yegor Rybkin went 5-2 in 11 games only starting 7 of those eleven games posting a 2.56 goals against average and a .915 save percentage in 2025-2026. Yegor Rybkin looks like he could be a potential steal at goalie.
    
    
    
    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. Yegor Rybkin checked off 8/10 boxes, but needs to improve his his ability to read the puck by tracking and his puckhandling on saves.
    
    
    
89. Tampa Bay Lightning: Tomas Kralovic, D, HC Slovan Bratislava (Tipos) D Grade
    
    
    He's got good size for an NHL defender at 6-2 203 lbs. This was still a massive reach though.
    
    
    
    
    
90. Ottawa Senators: Louis-Felix Bourque, C, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) F Grade
    
    
    Ottawa got their second undrafted player in this draft. You can argue this is a D- due to Louis-Felix Bourque's versatility though.
    
    
    
91. Vegas Golden Knights: Ben Wilmott, C, Barrie Colts (OHL) C Grade
    
    
    Barrie Colts center Ben Wilmott was my top ranked UDFA on my 2026 NHL Draft Simulator. I moved him down a few spots, but I don't dislike this pick enough to give Vegas a D grade.
    
    
    
    
    
92. Montreal Canadiens: Cooper Cleaves, D, Dartmouth A+ Grade
    
    
    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.
    
    
    
    I mocked Cooper Cleaves to Montreal in the second round. Clearly the Montreal Canadiens read Draft Utopia since they drafted him in the third round.
    
    
    
93. Columbus Blue Jackets: Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL) A Grade
    
    
    This is an amazing pick. However, this wasn't the best center on the Sarnia Sting as Beckham Edwards was still available. That is why I cannot give Columbus an A+ grade.
    
    
    
    Alessandro Di Iorio was drafted by the Sarnia Sting second overall in the first round of the 2024 OHL Draft. Alessandro Di Iorio didn't produce as many points as Beckham Edwards, but some scouts think his ceiling is higher anyways.
    
    
    
    Alessandro Di Iorio has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Alessandro Di Iorio played on the Sarnia Sting's top line when Beckham Edwards was inactive making him the seventy sixth player with experience or potential to play on the first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 188 lb Alessandro Di Iorio had 11 goals, 27 assists, 38 points, 329 face off wins, 93 shots on goal, 14 penalty minutes, 3 power play goals and 1 game-winning goal in 58 games as a rookie with the Sarnia Sting in 2024-2025. Alessandro Di Iorio had 12 goals, 19 assists, 31 points, 322 face off wins, 106 shots on goal, 2 power play goals, and 1 game-winning goal in 45 games as a sophomore with the Sarnia Sting 2025-2026. Alessandro Di Iorio might be the Sarnia Sting's team captain next season with Beckham Edwards off to Notre Dame this Fall.
    
    
    
    
    
94. Vegas Golden Knights: Sean Burick, D, Penticon Vees (WHL) C+ Grade
    
    
    The Vegas Golden Knights add another defenseman to their prospect pool. Sean Burick has potential to be a third line defenseman on an NHL team.
    
    
    
    Sean Burick has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Sean Burick could develop into a third line defenseman down the road provided he develops his shot since he still needs to develop his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 209 lb Sean Burick had 0 goals, 4 assists, 4 points, a +25 +/- ratio, 56 penalty minutes, and 44 shots on goal in 50 games with the Penticon Vees in the WHL in 2025-2026. Sean Burick had 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 12 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
95. Utah Mammoth: Adam Valentini, LW, Michigan B+ Grade
    
    
    The Utah Mammoth draft Michigan left winger Adam Valentini Many USHL scouts had Adam Valentini graded as the best player in the 2024 USHL Draft outside of Mikey Berchild. Adam Valentini was also a first round pick in the 2024 OHL Draft drafted by the Mississauga Steelheads who later became the Brampton Steelheads.
    
    
    
    Adam Valentini 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. Adam Valentini has the floor of a fourth line left winger and the ceiling of a second line left winger. I believe he will be a third line left winger in the NHL, but he showed flashes of being able to play on the top six near the end of the season ater enterig the presason as my thirty first best player and final first round prospect, but now he fell from the end of the first round to the end of the third round.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 187 lb Adam Valentini had 52 goals, 82 assists, and 134 points in 57 games with the Toronto Marlboros Under 16 AAA Team in 2023-2024. Adam Valentini had 17 goals, 22 assists, and 39 points with the Chicago Steel in 2024-2025. Adam Valentini was going to play for the Kitchener Rangers this season in the OHL, but he decommitted from them to go to the NCAA to play for Michigan. Adam Valentini had 11 goals, 16 assists, and 27 points as a freshman at Michigan. His favorite player that he looked up to was Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston as he also got to train with him.