[Sandman]

More Thoughts from Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings:

-RW Kalder Varga (5'11",178lbs) has been a big disappointment this season with Kelowna of the WHL. The American-born winger has only managed a paltry 8 points in 26 games to date, after posting 24 points last season in just 58 games. He also showed well in the summer's Hlinka tourney for Team USA, with 3 points in 5 games. Varga is a superb skater who explodes out of the blocks, separates in open ice, and has the agility and maneuverability to evade pressure- though he isn't afraid to play through contact, and can stickhandle through traffic with his well-developed handling skill. His speed and puck-skill makes him capable of pushing pace, and driving play, but his effort and engagement have come under scrutiny in the past, as has his defensive game- although, it has been reported that he has vastly improved on these deficiencies. Varga was rated a "C", but he might not even be drafted if he can't improve his offensive production.

-C/RW Ludvig Andersson impressed at the Hlinka in a bottom-six defensive role, putting up 4 points in 5 games, but is posting some eye-popping numbers in league play with Orebro this season, amassing 10 goals and 25 points in just 19 games. Andersson is a swift skater, a deft handler, and a smart two-way player who supplies energy and physicality to his team. He has often been listed at 6'0", but Central Scouting measured him to be 5'10",189lbs, so bulking up and getting stronger will be paramount for him going forward.

-RW Cohen Bidgood (6'0.75",178lbs) doesn't get the recognition he deserves, which shows in Central Scouting's "W" rating- indicating a late-round pick at best. Normally thought of as an energy player, Bidgood has 10 points in 13 games, playing limited minutes for a talented London Knights squad, and has amassed 25 PIM in that time. Obviously, he's a hard-nosed pest, who plays on the edge (and sometimes goes over), with a hard and heavy physical style that has cost him games due to injury. He goes all-out, and plays with pace and intensity, helped along by his speed and sky-high motor. He will drop the gloves when challenged, wins battles, goes to the net, mixes it up in traffic, and never passes up the chance to dole out a stiff check. Bidgood is agile and wields good edges, with solid puck-skill to deke and dangle in tight spaces. Going forward, it has been said that he needs to improve his play away from the puck.

-The Drummondville Voltigeurs are 5th in the Q right now, but they are 12th (out of 18 teams) in goals-for- showing that they conduct their business with sound team defense. Their 7th-leading scorer is RW Louis-Felix Bourque (6'1.5",216lbs), a power-forward who was given a "W" by Central Scouting- indicating a possible late-round pick; he has put up 13 points in 21 games, which prorates to 36 points in 59 games. Bourque plays a physical (but disciplined) game, and uses his considerable size well to make room for himself, set up shop in front of the net, and win battles along the walls. He skates quite well, but could use upgrades to his explosiveness and agility going forward, and he exerts a solid two-way game. He needs to increase his production though, to avoid being on the outside looking in come draft day- easier said than done in Drummondville, where the top-three leading scorers have only 7 more points than him in 5 more games.

-LD Zigge Bratt (6'0",185lbs) is a name to remember, and is sure to be a riser- far higher than his "W" rating would imply. Bratt has piled up 19 points in 19 games for Frolunda of the U20 League, which puts him first in scoring from his team's backend by 6 points, and second in scoring by D in the league- behind Axel Elofsson. Bratt is an effortless skater with high-end speed, motor, and maneuverability, blessed with sublime instincts, well-developed passing skill, and plus-level playmaking ability. He is a puck-moving rearguard that can drive play through transition, and does well as a powerplay QB, but also pays good attention to his defensive duties (even getting PK time), showing solid awareness and smart use of his stick- although he needs better consistency in this area. Bratt could afford to add a lot more physicality to his repertoire as well. He is very active in the other end of the ice, joining the rush as an extra forward, and activating into the play in an effort to spark the offense when he sees an opportunity. Some wonder how well his offense would translate to the NHL.

-Bratt's teammate in Frolunda, LD Axel Brongel-Larsson (6'1",194lbs) is the more highly touted of the two, as he plays a more projectable game, and is said to be one of the best rearguards in his own zone in the U20. ABL is physical, hard-nosed, aggressive, and reads the play well defensively, which makes his positioning nearly immaculate, and proactively sound. He is highly disruptive and detailed, with the ability to kill rushes frequently, intercept passes, and make clean retrievals that lead to intelligent first-passes to kickstart the breakout. He is not without ability in the offensive zone though, and his 10 points through 20 contests ties him for 17th in scoring by D in the U20; he was also tied for 5th in scoring by D in the 2024 Hlinka, with 3 points in 5 games. He exhibits poise and confidence with the puck, and generally makes smart decisions. ABL skates well, but must make upgrades to his top-speed for the next level, and is a little older than most with a Nov.1st, 2007 birthdate. This is a good one, even if Central Scouting sees him as a "W"!

-LC Dylan Dean (6'0.25",180lbs) hasn't played since early November, but he impressed before going down to injury, with 13 points in 16 games (24 PIM) for the Oil Kings (WHL). Dean is pacey and physical, which is facilitated by his powerful stride, and he is a menace on the forecheck- causing havok and dishing out big hits while forcing turnovers and uncontrolled play. He works the boards with intensity, motor, and power, goes to the net, and wins battles in the greasy areas of the ice, bringing energy and compete to his team. Dean isn't without offensive skill though, as he exhibits keen spatial awareness, high IQ, and sublime playmaking instincts; though he has been labeled as being more of a passer, 8 of his 13 points so far are goals, and he exhibits a great set of mitts around the net, as well as a decent shot. If the offensive game doesn't translate, he could always settle in to a checking role in the next level, as he shows signs of a smart, detailed defensive game in all three zones. When it comes to Dean, the "W" stands for "winner"!

-If LD Pavel Denisov has done something to deserve his "W" rating, it might be that he's a bit vanilla; he seems to do everything well, but nothing at an elite level, with no true standout traits. He's 6'2",183lbs, and like most Russians- he's a well-trained puck-handler, and exhibits a smooth and projectable skating stride. His 8 points in 18 games put him 11th in scoring by U-18 defensemen, and 5th in ppg (0.44) for defensemen in his age bracket, with his efforts earning him 7 games in the VHL- Russia's second-tier pro league. Points (and ice-time) don't come easy for draft-aged players in the pros, but Denisov has actually garnered positive reviews for his ability to keep up with men, and his defensive play. Though he keeps things simple and risk-free in the VHL, he's a good puck-mover in the junior ranks, as well as a capable playmaker and facilitator in the offensive zone who can run the PP. Denisov is also one of the youngest players available in the draft, with a late-August birthday.

-I liked RW Nolan Duskocy (6'1.5",190lbs) on Team USA in the Hlinka; apart from his 4 points in 5 games in limited ice-time, which was 6th on the team, he supplied a commendable defensive effort, as well as big helpings of physicality, grit, energy, and an ability to do the heavy-lifting along the boards in winning pucks for his team. I was excited to see what he could do this season with Charlottetown of the QMJHL, but he has disappointed- at least, numbers-wise; only 9 points in 27 games for the fifth-place Islanders, which puts him 10th in scoring on the team. Duskocy has good hands in-tight, as well as a decent shot, but his specialty seems to lie in his checking skills- he's aware defensively and disruptive, puts his body on the line to block shots and throw his weight around, and gets his stick into lanes effectively. He's a decent skater, too.

-RD Jakub Floris (6'3",196lbs) is far from a finished product, and scouts like his toolkit that includes a smooth, powerful stride, and solid handling skills. The young Slovak has put up 8 points in 20 games with Lukko of the U20 in Finland, but scouts see more potential on the offensive side of the puck. He has the defensive part of his game down well, and uses his size, mobility, and gap-control to make stops, but he has become much more confident in possession, and has vastly improved his puck-movement. Even if he doesn't fulfill his potential, he could still fill the role of a strong-skating minute-muncher, and reliable presence in his own end.

-RD Mans Gudmundsson (6'2",168lbs) is kind of what scouts wish Jakub Floris would take a step toward. Gudmundsson is tied for 6th in scoring by D in the U20, with 16 points in 20 games, and exerts a well-rounded all-around game, consisting of reliability in the defensive zone, simple but effective puck-movement, and smart facilitation of offense. There is some instability and inconsistency in his game, and he needs to bulk up considerably, but he can play in any situation (including both special teams), and is a capable minute-muncher.

-LW Nikita Gromakov (6'0",165lbs) may have received a "W" from Central Scouting, but he'll get mid-round consideration based on his skating alone. Gromakov is one of the fastest players available in the 2026 Draft, with the ability to intimidate defenses and push them back with his break-neck pace. He is currently tied for 11th in scoring by U-18 players in the MHL, with 6 goals and 17 points in 24 games. He has a good shot with a deceptive release, and a goal-scorer's built-in instinct to find open pockets of space in coverage, but his hockey sense and decision-making have come into question due to how disorganized and haphazard he appears on the ice.