2026 NHL Draft Results

Round 5

Cooper Williams was a preseason first round prospect and a player I mocked to my favorite NHL team, the Dallas Stars in the second round. My favorite team didn't get him, but find out who did.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 1, 2026.

128. Vancouver Canucks: Connor Davis, RW, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) D+ Grade
     
     
     Connor Davis was a fourth line right winger on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. You can debate between a D, D+, or C- for a grade at this point. Vancouver dominated the first four rounds of the NHL Draft, but this hiccup in round five keeps them from a perfect draft. Cheer up Canucks fans, you got the best value pick in round six.
     
     
     
129. Utah Mammoth: Theodor Knights, D, Modo Hockey (Elitserien) B+ Grade
     
     
     The Utah Mammoth draft another defenseman. Theodor Knights makes a lot of sense here and could develop into a bottom pairing defenseman on an NHL team.
     
     
     
     Theodor Knights has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Theodor Knights could develop into a third line defenseman in the NHL.
     
     
     
     The 6-4 207 lb Theodore Knights had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points with the Modo Hockey Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Theodor Knights needs to develop his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy.
     
     
     
     
     
130. Seattle Kraken: Finn Kearns, D, Sudbury Wolves (OHL) D Grade
     
     
     Finn Kearns split time between St. Andrews College High School in Ontario and the Sudbury Wolves in the OHl. Finn Kearns has good size for a defenseman. I see an AHL defenseman that probably won't make the NHL, but could be an impact player on the Coachella Valley Firebirds down the road.
     
     
     
131. Calgary Flames: Simon Katolicky, LW, Tappara (SM Liiga) A+ Grade
     
     
     Simon Katolicky looked great in the film I saw, but despite playing in Finland he was born in the Czech Republic with one person calling him the best skater in the Czech Republic since Jaromir Jagr.
     
     
     
     Simon Katolicky 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. Simon Katolicky has the floor of a first line left winger in the AHL and ceiling of a second line left winger in the NHL making Simon Katolicky a guy that could play on the back six in the NHL and potentially develop into a second line left winger.
     
     
     
     The 6-4 198 lb Simon Katolicky had 24 goals, 28 assists, and 52 points in 30 games with the Tappara Under 18 Team as their first line left winger in 2024-2025. Simon Katolicky declined significantly this season with oly 6 goals, 11 assists, adn 17 points in 29 games with the Tappara Under 20 Team in 2025-2026 after dominating on the Tappara Under 18 Team. Simon Katolicky models his game after Matthew Tkachuk on the Florida Panthers.
     
     
     
     
     
132. Edmonton Oilers: Andrew Robinson, D, Windsor Spitfires (OHL) D+ Grade
     
     
     I didn't have Andrew Robinson getting drafted. His production was decent enough to warrant drafting him as a two-way defenseman though.
     
     
     
     The 6-0 191 lb Andrew Robinson had 9 goals, 15 assists, 24 points, 82 shots on goal, a +36 +/- ratio, and 2 power play goals in 63 games with the Windsor Spitfires in 2025-2026.
     
     
     
133. Tampa Bay Lightning: Morgan Anderberg, C, Vaxjo Lakers (Elitserien) C+ Grade
     
     
     Tampa Bay drafts someone that can develop into a fourth line forward on an NHL team. Morgan Anderberg is a great value pick in the seventh round, but he feels like a reach in the fifth round. Morgan Anderberg has the versatility to play let winger, center, and right winger.
     
     
     
     Morgan Anderberg has the versatility, skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Morgan Anderberg can develop into a fourth line forward.
     
     
     
     The 5-11 174 lb Morgan Anderberg had 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, 0 penalty minutes, and a +7 +/- ratio in 39 SHL games in 2025-2026. Morgan Anderberg had 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, and 2 penalty minutes in 10 games during the 2026 SHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
     
     
134. Winnipeg Jets: Alexandre Taillefer, D, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) C+ Grade
     
     
     Alexandre Taillefer was the Quebec Remparts 2024 seventh round pick six rounds after drafting Maddox Dagenais first overall. Alexandre Taillefer feels like a defensive defenseman versus a two-way defenseman. I mocked him in the seventh round, but Winnipeg a team that desperately needed defense drafted him in the fifth round.
     
     
     
     Alexandre Taillefer has the speed, burst, foot speed, skating, playmaking, passing, 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. Alexandre Taillefer feels closer to a number seven defenseman on an NHL team than an AHL player even though there is a very limited sample size.
     
     
     
     The 6-0 162 lb Alexandre Taillefer had 3 goals, 4 assists, and 7 points with the Quebec Remparts in 40 QMJHL games in 2024-2025. Alexandre Taillefer had 2 goals, 15 assists, 17 points, and a +6 +/- ratio in 28 QMJHL games with the Quebec Remparts in 2025-2026.
     
     
     
135. Philadelphia Flyers: KJ Sauer, C, Andover HS (MN) A+ Grade
     
     
     The 6-3 203 lb KJ Sauer had 8 goals, 17 assists, and 25 points in 15 games with Andover High School as their team captain during his senior season at Andover High School in 2025-2026. KJ Sauer also had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in 5 games with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL in 2025-2026. KJ Sauer is going to play for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL.
     
     
     
     I only loved two of the Flyers picks so far in the 2026 NHL Draft. Those picks were Brek Liske in the second round and KJ Sauer in the fifth round.
     
     
     
     
     
136. Minnesota Wild: Filip Ruzicka, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) A+ Grade
     
     
     Minnesota drafted a goalie that could be their future backup to Jesper Wallstedt. Filip Gustavsson is good, but he's getting paid too much to be a backup goalie. Minnesota can keep him on his current contract for now until Jesper Wallstedt gets paid though. Filip Ruzicka was a goalie that I had a late third round grade on.
     
     
     
     The 6-7 230 lb Filip Ruzicka had a 26-14-1 record in 42 games played starting 41 of those games posting a 3.19 goals against average a .906 save percentage, and 2 shutouts with the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2025-2026. Filip Ruzicka went 0-4 in 4 playoff games, but posted a 2.47 goals against average and .936 save percentage being a bright spot in the 2026 WHL Playoffs despite the Brandon Wheat Kings getting swept.
     
     
     
     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. Filip Ruzicka checked off 8/10 boxes, but needs to improve his his quickness and his rebound control. Filip Ruzicka is going back to Mountfield HK in the Extraliga league in the Czech Republic which is where he played before the Brandon Wheat Kings got him this Fall.
     
     
     
137. Nashville Predators: Philip Hemmyr, LW, IF Bjorkloven (Elitserien) F Grade
     
     
     I didn't have Philip Hemmyr getting drafted. I see him being a player that is only good enough to play in the AHL not the NHL.
     
     
     
     
     
138. St. Louis Blues: Nick Bogas, D, USNTDP (USHL) F Grade
     
     
     Nick Bogas was not one of the defenders on the USNTDP team that I had getting drafted. St. Louis did get good value with other defensemen drafted before this, so even if Nick Bogas only ends up being an AHL player after his finishes college won't be the worst outcome possible. Still, there were better defenders available for the Blues to draft in the fifth round.
     
     
     
139. Colorado Avalanche: Cole Tuminaro, D, Chicago Steel (USHL) C+ Grade
     
     
     Colorado gets a defender to stash and develop. Cole Tuminaro is a big body defenseman heading to Cornell this Fall.
     
     
     
     Cole Tuminaro has the skating, playmaking, passing, offensive awareness, defensive awareess, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Cole Tuminaro may have been the meanest defenseman in the USHL this past season.
     
     
     
     The 6-4 225 lb Cole Tuminaro had 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points, and a mind boggling 148 penalty minutes putting him up there with fictional hockey players like Happy Gilmore and Goon for penalty minutes in 54 USHL games with the Chicago Steel in 2025-2206. He's going to Cornell this Fall.
     
     
     
     
     
140. New York Islanders: Vladimir Dravecky, D, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) A Grade
     
     
     New York drafts a bottom pairing defenseman that can develop into a third line defenseman in the NHL. Vladimir Dravecky was the Brantford Bulldogs first round pick in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
     
     
     
     Vladimir Dravecy 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. He projects as a defender with the floor of a first line AHL defenseman or number seven NHL defenseman with the ceiling of a number five defenseman on an NHL roster.
     
     
     
     The 6-0 189 lb Vladimir Dravecky had 9 goals, 19 assists, 28 points, 90 shots on goal, a +24 +/- ratio, and 24 penalty minuts in 58 OHL games with the Brantford Bulldogs in 2025-2026. Vlaimir Dravecky had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 11 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
141. Columbus Blue Jackets: Parker Snell, G, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) D Grade
     
     
     I didn't have Parker Snell getting drafted as his .895 save percentage is underwhelming. Columbus has Evan Gardner their 2024 third round pick and Pyotr Andreaynov their 2025 first round pick the first goalie drafted last year in their prospect pool. I don't see Parker Snell improving enough to jump those two in the Blue Jackets prospect pool. Even if Snell improves his ceiling is an AHL starting goalie once Gardner and Andreaynov reach the NHL if those two are still in the AHL by the time Snell turns 20, he will either go to college or the ECHL.
     
     
     
     
     
142. Detroit Red Wings: Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL) A+ Grade
     
     
     The Detroit Red Wings get a guy that could be their future first line center. Beckham Edwards could be that guy.
     
     
     
     Beckham Edwards was the Sarnia Sting's 2024 third round pick as Beckham Edwards has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. Beckham Edwards outperformed Alessandro Di Iorio who was drafted second overall by the Sanria Sting in the 2024 OHL Draft. Not only did Beckham Edwards get more points than Alessandro Di Iorio, he also played more games with the Sarnia Sting on the first line last year in his plus 1 year.
     
     
     
     Beckham Edwards has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Beckham Edwards has the floor of a third line forward at center as well as left winger with the ceiling of a first line forward at center as well as left winger making Beckham Edwards the sixtieth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
     
     
     
     The 6-2 184 lb Beckham Edwards had 25 goals, 20 assists, 45 points 138 shots on goal, 209 face off wins, 7 power play goals, 1 game-winning goal, and 6 penalty minutes in 62 OHL games in 2024-2025. Beckham Edwards had 19 goals, 26 assists, 45 points, 195 shots on goal, 358 face off wins, 6 power play goals, 2 short-handed goals, 1 game-winning goal, and 14 penalty minutes in 2025-2026.
     
     
     
     Beckham Edwards can play any forward role, but I believe he will end up playing center in the NHL. Beckham Edwards is enrolling at Notre Dame this Fall.
     
     
     
143. Washington Capitals: Brian McFadden, D, Thayer Academy HS (MA) A+ Grade
     
     
     The Washington Capitals get a High School defender here. Brian McFadden is one of the three best High School players in the 2026 NHL Draft.
     
     
     
     Brian McFadden 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 defenseman, but he's very raw think a poor mans Sam Rinzel at the end of the fourth round. He's also the final guy that could be a top four defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft.
     
     
     
     The 6-5 183 lb Brian McFadden had 1 goals, 7 assists, and 8 points at Thayer Academy in 2024-2025. Brian McFadden had 2 goals, 15 assists, and 17 points in 29 games in 2025-2026.
     
     
     
     
     
144. Los Angeles Kings: Vertti Svensk, D, Saimaan Pallo (SM Liiga) A+ Grade
     
     
     The Los Angeles Kings draft another defenseman here. Vertti Svensk is the one of the best defenseman still available in the fifth round as he is one of a few defensemen with a second round grade.
     
     
     
     Vertti Svensk has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Vertti Svensk is the fifty ninth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
     
     
     
     The 6-1 168 lb Vertti Svensk had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 18 games with Saimaan Pallo in Liiga in 2025-2026. He also posted 3 goals, 28 assists and 31 points on the Saimaan Pallo Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. He played 2 games in the 2026 Liiga Playoffs.
     
     
     
145. Anaheim Ducks: Eric Frossard, D, Guelph Storm (OHL) C+ Grade
     
     
     Anaheim gets a defenseman with the potential to develop into a third line defenseman in the NHL in the fifth round. Eric Frossard makes a lot of sense here, but I had him going in the seventh round.
     
     
     
     Eric Frossard has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Eric Frossard could develop into a third line defenseman in the NHL if he can improve his defensive awareness.
     
     
     
     The 6-4 195 lb Eric Frossard had 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and 19 shots on goal in 30 OHL games with the Guelph Storm in 2024-2025. Eric Frossard had 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points, and 67 shots on goal in 53 OHL games with the Guelph Storm in 2025-2026. Eric Frossard had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs. Eric Frossard is heading to Notre Dame this Fall.
     
     
     
     
     
146. Utah Mammoth: Forest Houle, C, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL) C Grade
     
     
     Forest Houle was the second line center behind Thomas Rosseau who I actually had a third round grade on. The problem is Houle got drafted and Rosseau didn't. I will give Utah a C grade here since Utah could have drafted a third line or fourth line center instead of a second line center despite not having Houle listed in my mock.
     
     
     
147. Seattle Kraken: Luken Huff, D, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) C- Grade
     
     
     Luken Huff is nicknamed Hawke Huff. He's pretty big at 6-3 200 lbs and is going to St. Thomas to play college hockey.
     
     
     
     
     
148. New Jersey Devils: Danill Rusakovich, G, Dinamo Minsk (KHL) D+ Grade
     
     
     New Jersey reached for this goalie here. After trading away their starting goalie to Florida, drafting a goalie became necessary.
     
     
     
149. St. Louis Blues: Carter Stevens, RW, Guelph Storm (OHL) B Grade
     
     
     Carter Stevens began his OHL career at center. He converted to right winger this past season despite having the versatility to play both center and right winger.
     
     
     
     Carter Stevens has the versatility, skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carter Stevens could develop into a third line right winger in the NHL if he can improve his defensive awareness.
     
     
     
     The 6-1 184 lb Carter Stevens had 13 goals, 13 assists, 26 points, 104 shots on goal, 82 face off wins, 8 power play goals, and 1 game-winning goal, in 66 OHL games with the Guelph Storm in 2024-2025. Carter Stevens had 20 goals, 16 assists, 36 points, 157 shots on goal, 18 face off wins, 3 power play goals, and 2 game-winning goals in 53 OHL games with the Guelph Storm in 2025-2026. Carter Stevens had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
     
     
150. Ottawa Senators: Harris Pangretitsch, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) C Grade
     
     
     Harris Pangretitsch was the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds fourth round pick in the 2024 OHL Draft. He has enough upside to develop into a number seven defenseman on an NHL roster or a number one defenseman on an AHL team.
     
     
     
     Harris Pangretitsch has the skating, playmaking, passing, 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. Harris Pangretitsch feels closer to a number seven defenseman on an NHL team than an AHL player even though there is a very limited sample size.
     
     
     
     The 6-4 216 lb Harris Pangretitsch had 2 goals, 12 assists, 14 points, 68 shots on goal a +20 +/- ratio, and 1 game-winning goal in 67 OHL games with the Sualt Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL in 2025-2026. Harris Pangretitsch had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 10 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
151. Colorado Avalanche: Theodore Lechner, D, Academy Of Holy Angels HS (MN) C Grade
     
     
     Theodore Lechner had 7 goals, 31 assists, 38 points, and 10 penalty minutes in 23 games with the Academy Of Holy Angels High School in 2025-2026. Theodore Lechner had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 21 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2025-2026. Theodore Lechner had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 14 games during the 2026 USHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
     Theodore Lechner was the number seven defenseman on Muskegon. He will have a bigger role there next year before he enrolls at Augustana University in 2027.
     
     
     
     
     
152. Los Angeles Kings: Giorgos Pantelas, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) A+ Grade
     
     
     Los Angeles needs to draft a defenseman. Bradon Wheat Kings defenseman Giorgos Pantelas was drafted nineteenth overall in the 2023 WHL Draft.
     
     
     
     Giorgos Pantelas has the speed, explosion, burst, 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 the sixty eighth player with experience or potential to play on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
     
     
     
     The 6-2 211 lb Giorgos Pantellas had 6 goals, 31 assists, 37 points, 90 shots on goal, 50 penalty minutes, a +19 +/- and 1 power play goal in all 68 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2025-2026. Giorgos Pantellas had 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, and a -1 +/- ratio in 4 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
     
     
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153. Tampa Bay Lightning: Cooper Soller, C, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) C+ Grade
     
     
     Tampa Bay gets a center on this years USHL Champions. He has two more years of USHL eligiblity before he enrolls into Western Michigan in 2028.
     
     
     
     
     
154. Dallas Stars: Ryan Brown, LW, London Knights (OHL) A+ Grade
     
     
     The Dallas Stars draft a left winger for the future. Ryan Brown was a first round pick by the Sarnia Sting in the 2023 OHL Draft.
     
     
     
     Ryan Brown 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. Ryan Brown is someone that could developinto a second line left winger on an NHL team. I think Brandon Gorzynski last years Dallas Stars fourth round pick could develop into a first line left winger, but the ceiling for Ryan Brown is a second line left winger.
     
     
     
     The 5-11 172 lb Ryan Brown had 22 goals, 41 assists, 63 points, a +1 +/- ratio, 43 penalty minutes, 137 shots on goal, 5 power play goals, 2 game-winning goals, and 1 short-handed goal in 2025-2026. Ryan Brown had 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points in 5 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
     There were a few players ahead of Ryan Brown on the board at this point. The Hockey News had Ryan Brown as the sixty second best overall player which is why the Stars get a second A+ grade.
     
     
     
155. Buffalo Sabres: Doman Szongoth, C, KooKoo (SM Liiga) A+ Grade
     
     
     Doman Szongoth, his full name is Doman Krstof Szongoth plays onn the KooKoo Under 20 Team in Finland. He has the ability to become a first line center on an NHL team.
     
     
     
     Doman Szongoth has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, shooting, 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. Doman Szongoth is the ninty first player with first line experience or potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
     
     
     
     The 6-1 194 lb Doman Szongoth had 10 goals, 18 assists, and 27 points in 44 games with the KooKoo Under 20 Team Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Doman Szongoth was the team captain of Hungary's Under 18 Team at the 2025 World Junior Championships where he had 5 goals, 0 assists, and 5 points in 5 games with Hungary.
     
     
     
     
     
156. Boston Bruins: Jacob Vandeven, D, Komoka Kings (GJOHL) C- Grade
     
     
     I'm not high on Jacob Vandeven as I didn't have him getting drafted. The London Knights signed him though and he's playing there in the OHL next year which is why C- is the worst grade you can give this.
     
     
     
157. Toronto Maple Leafs: Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL) A+ Grade
     
     
     One center that has wowed me early in the draft process that looked like a late first round first round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is Saskatoon Blades center Cooper Williams. Cooper Williams has one more season of eligibility in the WHL before he goes to the NCAA to play for North Dakota in 2027. Cooper Williams can be an asset for the NHL team that drafts him, but he will not be an asset until 2028 at the earliest and may not make the NHL until 2030 at the latest if Williams plays three years at North Dakota after his time in the WHL as Williams showed flashes of Connor Bedard and Nate Mackinnon in his rookie WHL season. I don't think Williams will be as good as those two, but Williams showed similar traits as those two on tape.
     
     
     
     Cooper Williams has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Cooper Williams has the floor of a first line center in the AHL and ceiling of a first line center in the NHL making Cooper Williams the fifty sixth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
     
     
     
     The 6-0 150 lb Cooper Williams had 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points, 147 shots on goal, 336 face off wins, 24 penalty minutes, 4 power play goals, 2 game-winning goals, and a +19 +/- ratio in 68 WHL games in 2024-2025 as the Saskatoon Blades first line center. Cooper Williams had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in 4 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Cooper Williams had 23 goals, 34 assists, 57 points, 170 shots on goal, 387 face off wins, 35 penalty minutes, 7 power play goals, 2 game-winning goals, 1 short-handed goal, and a -7 +/- ratio in 66 games with the Saskatoon Blades 2025-2026. Cooper Williams had 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 11 games during the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
     
     
158. Vegas Golden Knights: Will McLaughlin, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) B Grade
     
     
     The Vegas Golden Knights draft a defenseman to stash and develop. Will McLaughlin could develop into a bottom pairing defenseman in the NHL.
     
     
     
     Will McLaughlin has the skating, playmaking, passing, 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. Daniil Ustinkov could develop into a bottom pairing defenseman as a number six or number five defenseman on a third line in the NHL if he reaches his ceiling.
     
     
     
     The 6-2 168 lb Will McLaughlin had 9 goals, 21 assists, 30 points, 103 shots o goal, 14 penalty minutes, a +11 +/- ratio, 3 power play goals, and 1 short-handed goal in 68 WHL games with the Portland Winterhawks in 2025-2026. Will McLaughlin had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 4 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
     
     
     
159. Pittsburgh Penguins: Matvei Nikonvoich, G, HC Lada Togliatti (KHL) F Grade
     
     
     Pittsburgh reached for a goalie with the final pick in the fifth round. Clearly they got more confidence in Gabriel D'Aigle their 20225 third round pick who looked good in three ECHL games. Pittsburgh went 4/4 on their first four picks, but went 0/2 on their last two picks. Still, they acquired three first round talents and a number one defenseman in the Czech Repbulic making them a winner in the 2026 NHL Draft.