2026 NHL Draft Thread

[fotze2]

How are you guys so sure about this stuff?

I watched Basha, Brunicke, Jack Smith, Parascak, Molendyk since they were babies, hundreds of games and thousands of shifts. I would have never seen they even would get close to the NHL. Dupont though, he was different, told him he sounded like a man at 13 in my car.

Who knows what they become, thats the fun part. A Christmas Cracker.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by traptor

It would be tough for the Flames to pick 3-5 and end up with an good not great player. Although I guess Monahan and Bennett both fit that mold, but I think it really hurt that iteration. If one of those guys was a true star, we would of been a serious contender.

Even with someone like Parehk, who was picked 9th oa, the expectations are crazy high. I think this is made worse, because historically we haven't picked high often, so we expect more when it does happen.

Lawrence and belchetz both have the tools to be dominant players.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by fotze2

How are you guys so sure about this stuff?

I watched Basha, Brunicke, Jack Smith, Parascak, Molendyk since they were babies, hundreds of games and thousands of shifts. I would have never seen they even would get close to the NHL. Dupont though, he was different, told him he sounded like a man at 13 in my car.

Who knows what they become, thats the fun part. A Christmas Cracker.

There is a kid named Saige Weinstein that I totally thought would go to the moon. He skated like the wind. Nope, I was wrong about that one.

My old field foreman was a GM of med hat tigers. My kids were young still, I asked what is the one thing thing that changes players trajectories.

He said "pu$$y". He was not joking about it because I laughed.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

I was doing a little thinking about scouting/ draft position, so I looked back at the top five picks between 2013-2023 to get a sense of how often top 5 picks a "busts".


3rd Jonathan Drouin **
4th Sam Bennett **
5th Michael Dal Colle
4th puljujarvi
5th Juolevi
2nd Nolan Patrick
5th Barrett Hayton*
3rd Kirby Dach*
5th Alex Turcotte
4th Shane Wright*
5th David Reinbacher***

* under performers but still NHLs
** good players but not super stars
*** still too early to say for sure


In the end 11 out 50 picks in the top 5 wind up under performing in some capacity. That said, 5 out 50 are true busts.

With that in mind there is a 10% chance when you pick in the top 5 you'll leave with nothing, but you will notice that most of this is clustered in the 4th and 5th picks.

In the top three you have a 3 /30 chance of picking a player who under performs, and you have only a 1/30 chance of picking a "bust"

I'm never going to understand the old school mentality of who gets ice time. Some players are immediately top six PP1, and of course they start putting up the points.

Alex Turcotte has two years of really unfortunate injuries, and his spot is just gone. He's outplaying Danault, but you have to justify the salary, so turcotte stays on the 4th.

Las Vegas built a contender, snapping up these guys.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by fotze2

There is a kid named Saige Weinstein that I totally thought would go to the moon. He skated like the wind. Nope, I was wrong about that one.

My old field foreman was a GM of med hat tigers. My kids were young still, I asked what is the one thing thing that changes players trajectories.

He said "pu$$y". He was not joking about it because I laughed.

Lol, I love Saige Weinstein.

[getbak]

Vancouver going all-in on the tank with today's trade.

It would be funny if the bottom three end up being Calgary, Vancouver, and Nashville -- three of the few teams to never pick first overall -- and then some ####### team like the Sabres wins the lottery.

[Sandman]

More thoughts on Central Scouting's Preliminary List:

-LW Simon Katolicky (6'4",194lbs) is a very highly-regarded prospect, with some ranking him as a first-rounder, and Central Scouting has given him the rather lofty rating of "B"- meaning that they see him as a potential 2nd, or 3rd-round pick in the upcoming draft. Personally, everything I've seen from the big Czech has been a bit lackluster, and he's not having a good year over in Finland, with only 6 points in 16 games (-8) in the U20 league- I definitely wouldn't spend a first on him. There are whispers though, that he's been dealing with an injury for a good portion of the season so far. In every scouting report you'll read on Katolicky, they will mention his poise with the puck, and the translatability of his game; I agree, but I'm not sure exactly where he will fit into an NHL lineup. He plays a very simple north-south power-forward game, devoid of any dynamism or flash- which is where the "translatability" comments come from. He skates well for a big man, but still needs work on his overall mobility and maneuverability; he offsets this with his high workrate and hockey sense, that put him in the right place at the right time to make an impact. He's a natural goal-scorer and finisher, with a good shot and a nose for the net, and he is proficient in sniffing out pockets of space around the crease. Katolicky's game is also translatable in how conscientious he is about playing solid defensively, and how well he uses his size to his advantage.

-"B"-rated LHC Olivers Murnieks (6'1",200lbs) has been a huge disappointment this season, at least on the offensive side of the puck. Before the start of the current campaign, he seemed primed for first-round status, and even started off well in his first season with the Saint John Sea Dogs, putting up 8 points in his first 6 games. As of right now, he sits in 8th on the team with 13 points in 22 games; this is a kid who put up an impressive 35 points in 52 USHL games with the Sioux City Musketeers in 2024-25 as a 16 year-old, which ties him (with Matt Boldy, and 1 point behind Adam Fantilli and Frank Nazar) for the 35th-best U-17 season in league history. He was also given first-line duties for Team Latvia at the World Juniors (4 points in 5 games, third on the team), and played in Latvia's top men's league as a 15 year-old in 2023-24, posting an amazing 15 points in 18 contests. Not sure what's going on in Saint John, but I really like this kid- although he's going to need time to work on his speed, explosiveness, and agility. Murnieks is scrappy as hell, physical, hard-working, and owns a relentless motor- he makes up for his lack of footspeed somewhat with his high-end workrate, and his lofty IQ, awareness, and hockey sense. He plays a simple, but translatable game, and is one of the best defensive forwards through all 200 feet of ice in this draft- he disrupts opponents and kills plays in every inch of their attack, racking up turnovers, picks, steals, and blocks. Murnieks charges into board-battles and comes out with the puck more often than not, and attacks the net without fear- he also excels in front of the enemies' net. If he can fix his mobility issues, he will make an excellent middle-six C in the NHL, but most likely a 3C; he already plays a mature, responsible game, but his offense will be in question.

-Scouts were doubt been waiting for "B"-rated LD Charlie Morrison (6'3.25",198lbs) to return from the injury that cost him the first 14 games of the season; after 13 games back, and 2 contests in the CHL-USA Prospect Challenge (no points), he sits at 4 points, with a +4, and 12 PIM, for the 13th-place (out of 18 teams) Quebec Remparts. Morrison should have a few more points, but he will surely be taken high in the draft- perhaps even in the late-first, but most likely early-second. He is a mean and gritty two-way performer, who intimidates with his size, hard-hitting physicality, and frightening mobility. He applies stifling gaps and brings a tunnel of death to his rush-defense, separates man from puck with an active stick, makes smooth retrievals with speed and agility, and gets the puck moving the other way with calm, poised breakout passes. He contributes intelligently to the rush, and supports the offense with sound decision-making, as well as high-IQ processing. Morrison is a quality shut-down artist, a first-rate match-up option, and a minute-muncher.

-To boost their Memorial Cup aspirations, the powerhouse Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL made a late-October trade with Oshawa that brought defensive standout D Ben Danford and Zackary Sandhu into the fold, with D Lucas Moore, D Luca DiPlacido, numerous draft picks, and "B"-rated draft-eligible LW Aiden O'Donnell (6'0.75",182lbs) going the other way. It was a good news/bad news proposition for O'Donnell, as on one hand, he got a new start with a new team after his disappointing offensive output with a deep and talented Bulldogs squad- only 8 points in 14 games. On the other hand, the Generals are the worst team in the league this season, as well as the lowest scoring (75 goals, compared to the Bulldogs' 147), which is part of the reason that O'Donnell has provided virtually the same production for his new team- 9 points in 15 games. At his best, O'Donnell is a very well-rounded, all-situations power-forward, who skates well, plays with pace and physicality, and exerts a detailed defensive game. He has a hard shot with a deceptive release, smooth hands around the crease, and a nose for the net- most of his play-creation revolves around his shoot-first mentality. He works hard, goes to all the battle areas of the ice, and will plant himself in front of the net for second-chance opportunities. I still think he might be a second-rounder, as his style is easily projectable.

-Ilya Morozov is the real deal. The "B"-rated LHC has seen his points-production decrease recently (5 points in his last 10 games), but it doesn't make his freshman season in the NCAA as the youngest player in the circuit any less impressive. Morozov was measured at 6'2.5",197lbs by Central Scouting, and he doesn't turn 18 until August 3rd, 2008. His game is mostly simple, straightforward and projectable, with highly robust physicality, and a detailed, hard-working defensive approach. If his season ended today, his ppg of .82 would represent the 38th-best season of all-time by a U-18 player in the NCAA, or the 9th-best U-18 season (by ppg) in the last 35 years. He is not a speed merchant, with some deficiencies in his start-up and acceleration, but he's a powerful skater at top-speed- capable of winning races and separating from attackers in open-ice. Though he lacks flash or dynamism, his IQ is off the charts, giving him acute anticipation, proactive positioning, and the ability to spot open passing seams or routes to the net. His shot is hard and accurate, and he's not at all afraid to compete in hard areas, such as the front of the net. Morozov is hard-working, plays a heavy game, and has a relentless motor- he routinely plays over 20 minutes per game, in all situations against men. Many question if he will be able to play on an NHL top-line, but even if he can't- he will be the ideal middle-six center in the show.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

More thoughts on Central Scouting's Preliminary List:

-LW Simon Katolicky (6'4",194lbs) is a very highly-regarded prospect, with some ranking him as a first-rounder, and Central Scouting has given him the rather lofty rating of "B"- meaning that they see him as a potential 2nd, or 3rd-round pick in the upcoming draft. Personally, everything I've seen from the big Czech has been a bit lackluster, and he's not having a good year over in Finland, with only 6 points in 16 games (-8) in the U20 league- I definitely wouldn't spend a first on him. There are whispers though, that he's been dealing with an injury for a good portion of the season so far. In every scouting report you'll read on Katolicky, they will mention his poise with the puck, and the translatability of his game; I agree, but I'm not sure exactly where he will fit into an NHL lineup. He plays a very simple north-south power-forward game, devoid of any dynamism or flash- which is where the "translatability" comments come from. He skates well for a big man, but still needs work on his overall mobility and maneuverability; he offsets this with his high workrate and hockey sense, that put him in the right place at the right time to make an impact. He's a natural goal-scorer and finisher, with a good shot and a nose for the net, and he is proficient in sniffing out pockets of space around the crease. Katolicky's game is also translatable in how conscientious he is about playing solid defensively, and how well he uses his size to his advantage.

-"B"-rated LHC Olivers Murnieks (6'1",200lbs) has been a huge disappointment this season, at least on the offensive side of the puck. Before the start of the current campaign, he seemed primed for first-round status, and even started off well in his first season with the Saint John Sea Dogs, putting up 8 points in his first 6 games. As of right now, he sits in 8th on the team with 13 points in 22 games; this is a kid who put up an impressive 35 points in 52 USHL games with the Sioux City Musketeers in 2024-25 as a 16 year-old, which ties him (with Matt Boldy, and 1 point behind Adam Fantilli and Frank Nazar) for the 35th-best U-17 season in league history. He was also given first-line duties for Team Latvia at the World Juniors (4 points in 5 games, third on the team), and played in Latvia's top men's league as a 15 year-old in 2023-24, posting an amazing 15 points in 18 contests. Not sure what's going on in Saint John, but I really like this kid- although he's going to need time to work on his speed, explosiveness, and agility. Murnieks is scrappy as hell, physical, hard-working, and owns a relentless motor- he makes up for his lack of footspeed somewhat with his high-end workrate, and his lofty IQ, awareness, and hockey sense. He plays a simple, but translatable game, and is one of the best defensive forwards through all 200 feet of ice in this draft- he disrupts opponents and kills plays in every inch of their attack, racking up turnovers, picks, steals, and blocks. Murnieks charges into board-battles and comes out with the puck more often than not, and attacks the net without fear- he also excels in front of the enemies' net. If he can fix his mobility issues, he will make an excellent middle-six C in the NHL, but most likely a 3C; he already plays a mature, responsible game, but his offense will be in question.

-Scouts were doubt been waiting for "B"-rated LD Charlie Morrison (6'3.25",198lbs) to return from the injury that cost him the first 14 games of the season; after 13 games back, and 2 contests in the CHL-USA Prospect Challenge (no points), he sits at 4 points, with a +4, and 12 PIM, for the 13th-place (out of 18 teams) Quebec Remparts. Morrison should have a few more points, but he will surely be taken high in the draft- perhaps even in the late-first, but most likely early-second. He is a mean and gritty two-way performer, who intimidates with his size, hard-hitting physicality, and frightening mobility. He applies stifling gaps and brings a tunnel of death to his rush-defense, separates man from puck with an active stick, makes smooth retrievals with speed and agility, and gets the puck moving the other way with calm, poised breakout passes. He contributes intelligently to the rush, and supports the offense with sound decision-making, as well as high-IQ processing. Morrison is a quality shut-down artist, a first-rate match-up option, and a minute-muncher.

-To boost their Memorial Cup aspirations, the powerhouse Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL made a late-October trade with Oshawa that brought defensive standout D Ben Danford and Zackary Sandhu into the fold, with D Lucas Moore, D Luca DiPlacido, numerous draft picks, and "B"-rated draft-eligible LW Aiden O'Donnell (6'0.75",182lbs) going the other way. It was a good news/bad news proposition for O'Donnell, as on one hand, he got a new start with a new team after his disappointing offensive output with a deep and talented Bulldogs squad- only 8 points in 14 games. On the other hand, the Generals are the worst team in the league this season, as well as the lowest scoring (75 goals, compared to the Bulldogs' 147), which is part of the reason that O'Donnell has provided virtually the same production for his new team- 9 points in 15 games. At his best, O'Donnell is a very well-rounded, all-situations power-forward, who skates well, plays with pace and physicality, and exerts a detailed defensive game. He has a hard shot with a deceptive release, smooth hands around the crease, and a nose for the net- most of his play-creation revolves around his shoot-first mentality. He works hard, goes to all the battle areas of the ice, and will plant himself in front of the net for second-chance opportunities. I still think he might be a second-rounder, as his style is easily projectable.

-Ilya Morozov is the real deal. The "B"-rated LHC has seen his points-production decrease recently (5 points in his last 10 games), but it doesn't make his freshman season in the NCAA as the youngest player in the circuit any less impressive. Morozov was measured at 6'2.5",197lbs by Central Scouting, and he doesn't turn 18 until August 3rd, 2008. His game is mostly simple, straightforward and projectable, with highly robust physicality, and a detailed, hard-working defensive approach. If his season ended today, his ppg of .82 would represent the 38th-best season of all-time by a U-18 player in the NCAA, or the 9th-best U-18 season (by ppg) in the last 35 years. He is not a speed merchant, with some deficiencies in his start-up and acceleration, but he's a powerful skater at top-speed- capable of winning races and separating from attackers in open-ice. Though he lacks flash or dynamism, his IQ is off the charts, giving him acute anticipation, proactive positioning, and the ability to spot open passing seams or routes to the net. His shot is hard and accurate, and he's not at all afraid to compete in hard areas, such as the front of the net. Morozov is hard-working, plays a heavy game, and has a relentless motor- he routinely plays over 20 minutes per game, in all situations against men. Many question if he will be able to play on an NHL top-line, but even if he can't- he will be the ideal middle-six center in the show.

Tankathon has morozov going to the rangers in the bottom of the first.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Lawrence and belchetz both have the tools to be dominant players.

Really? On the Athletic Hockey Show podcast yesterday Wheeler or Pronmam, maybe both, were saying Bechtez is in the Lawson Crouse/Nick Ritchie territory.

That alone has me thinking he’s several tiers below dominant. Might need to listen again to see if they said that was his floor but it put Belchetz in a different light for me.

Lawrence on the other hand certainly seems to be trending upwards.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Really? On the Athletic Hockey Show podcast yesterday Wheeler or Pronmam, maybe both, were saying Bechtez is in the Lawson Crouse/Nick Ritchie territory.

That alone has me thinking he’s several tiers below dominant. Might need to listen again to see if they said that was his floor but it put Belchetz in a different light for me.

Lawrence on the other hand certainly seems to be trending upwards.

And others dont. Lawrence is gaining but has been pretty consistently top five. Belchetz has steadied anywhere between 3 and 7 with most saying he has the skills to be one if the best in this draft. Not to mention pronmans lists are always clickbait lists and he seems more impressed by jr points than most.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Fan69

And others dont. Lawrence is gaining but has been pretty consistently top five. Belchetz has steadied anywhere between 3 and 7 with most saying he has the skills to be one if the best in this draft. Not to mention pronmans lists are always clickbait lists and he seems more impressed by jr points than most.

Fair enough. My (limited) understanding of Belchetz before hearing that had me thinking he would be an interesting option if the Flames end up 5th or later.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

Fair enough. My (limited) understanding of Belchetz before hearing that had me thinking he would be an interesting option if the Flames end up 5th or later.

Will be seeing Belchetz tomorrow, curious to see how he looks against a pretty skilled/fast 67’s team.

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Will be seeing Belchetz tomorrow, curious to see how he looks against a pretty skilled/fast 67’s team.

You will have to let us know your thoughts

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by TOfan

You will have to let us know your thoughts

He plays on a pretty stacked team. Curious if he stands out given the first round talent he plays with on that team.

[Sandman]

More thoughts from Central Scouting's Preliminary List:

-"B"-rated RD Giorgos Pantelas (6'2",214lbs) started his season with the Wheaties off with a bang, piling up 10 points in his first 9 games. Things have cooled off considerably for him, at least on the offensive side of the puck, with only 1 point in his last 10 contests- giving him a total of 16 points in 28 games so far this season. Pantelas specializes in shutdown defense anyway, which was his role in 5 games at the Hlinka in limited minutes (0 points in 5 games), and in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. He is decently mobile, highly aware, and intelligently positioned to close gaps quickly against the rush, and he plays a hard-hitting, intimidating physical game to separate man from puck. Pantelas is also a heads-up passer, both in transition, and in support of the offense, making him a key contributor in all 200-ft of the ice.

-Sitting 9th in scoring by U-18 players in the MHL is "B"-rated winger Gleb Pugachyov (6'3",198lbs), who scouts seem to like for the second-round. His numbers aren't exactly earth-shattering (7 goals and 20 points in 26 games), and some question his puck-skills and decision-making, but there is no denying how stellar he is without the puck. Pugachyov hunts pucks down with aggression, separates man from puck with violence, and uses his surprising mobility to limit his opponents' time and space in all three zones- he is a disruptor defensively with good habits, mature instincts, a high-end work-ethic, and attention to detail. Unlike many kids with large frames, he knows how to use his size, and he uses it prolifically to win board battles, intimidate on the forecheck, go to the net, and to bully his way around. Though he owns a good shot and solid finishing skills, he leans more towards being a playmaker, and he has enough IQ and vision to succeed in a middle-six role in the NHL-but his puck-skills have to catch up to his brain. Pugachyov has earned 4 games so far in the VHL, with one point, but reportedly hasn't looked out of place.

-Another Russian who is lurking around the second-round (and sneaking into the first on some lists) is "B"-rated (the "B" stands for "Behemoth") LD Nikita Shcherbakov (6'5",187lbs), who has been playing in the men's professional leagues for most of the season. He actually started in the KHL, but with no points and poor ice-time in 7 games, he was sent to the VHL (4 assists and a -6 in 18 games), and is now dominating the MHL (6 points in 5 games) with Tolpar Ufa- although he's an older draft-eligible, with an October 23rd, 2007 birthday. While he may not be as jaw-dropping to watch as fellow Russian monster Dimitri Simashev was a few years ago, he is still a wonderful skater- especially for a player of his considerable size; he moves quickly and fluidly in all directions, and is startlingly agile on his edges. His mobility gives him the ability to kill rushes with his tight gap-control, escape attackers in retrievals, skate the puck through transition, and activate into the play in the offensive zone with the ability to come back quickly to his post defensively, without missing a beat. He handles well, has a hard shot from the point that he can get on-net through traffic, and sees the ice well, but he's more likely to be a puck-moving, middle-pairing D-man in the NHL, who can be used as a match-up option. He is used on both sides of special teams though, even in the VHL. Shcherbakov owns excellent instincts, positioning, and details in the defensive zone, but could afford to be much more physical; while he is aggressive in closing out attacks, he prefers to use stickwork to make stops.

-Teams who miss out on Caleb Malhotra in the first-round of the draft, might look to pick up RHC Carter Stevens in the second. Stevens was used mostly at center last season for the Guelph Storm, but has reportedly been playing RW this season, posting 10 goals and 18 points in 22 games (which prorates to 27 goals and 48 points in 59 games). He is a volume-shooting goal-scorer and finisher, who possesses an excellent shot with a deceptive release, a willingness to compete in front of the net, and ultra-soft hands in-tight for tips and rebounds. He will attack the net, and bring defenders with him, but understands how to find seams of open space in the offensive zone, and also knows how to draw opponents towards him in order to make room for his teammates- he can score from anywhere. While he's listed at 6'1" on some sites, Central Scouting measured him to be 6'2.25",195lbs, and he's a battler who does a lot of the dirty work in hard areas for his team, with a high-end motor and intensity. Stevens is very well-rounded, can play in all situations, and exerts a strong 200-foot game, but he's not dynamically skilled, and while he skates well- he doesn't possess high-end speed. He can still drive play through transition, and displays good hockey sense and awareness in all areas, but needs to add a better playmaking dimension, to make himself less predictable. I like this kid, and I feel he's being a bit underrated.

-A lot more was expected numbers-wise from "B"-rated RW Lars Steiner (5'9.5",175lbs), especially given his advanced age (born on Nov.12, 2007) and his eye-popping production last season in his D-minus-1 year, of 23 goals and 60 points in 57 games for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL. He started the current season with 8 points in his first 7 contests, but was hit with an injury bug that cost him 13 games- he now sits at 14 points (5 goals) in 15 games. I believed that Steiner would be chasing 90 points or more this season, and I think his current production is causing him to be overlooked, but I believe he is much better than his stats this year. Steiner is short in stature, but stocky and uncommonly strong, while being well-balanced on his skates with a low center of gravity- and he plays like a pocket-sized power-forward, with a surprisingly robust physical style, an aggressive nature, and a willingness to battle in the greasy areas. Unlike many high-skill, undersized forwards, he also puts forth a gritty, high-energy defensive effort, and is successful in disrupting plays by being a pest, and engaging physically in order to dislodge pucks. While Steiner owns a sniper's release on a wicked wrister, he is known for his playmaking qualities, with his high-end IQ, vision, and creativity, on top of his soft-touch passing skill. Steiner moves around well, and shows excellent agility on his edges, but he must work to add an extra gear to his skating, and continue to get stronger.

-With the loss of talent that the Tri-City Americans experienced after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, I would've thought they were in for a huge drop- but as of right now, they are in the same place in the standings that they were then, in 15th-place in the WHL. The major difference is that they are second-worst this season in goals-for (82 in 29 games). With rearguards Jackson Smith and Terrell Goldsmith leaving for greener pastures, their top offensive-defenseman is now lefty Jakub Vanecek (6'1.5",191lbs), who leads the Amerks' blueline by 6 points with 17 in 27 games (prorated to 41 in 66); they chose him 25th-overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. While he isn't very flashy, Vanecek can do it all, with his high-end mobility and puck-skill helping him to be an excellent puck-mover, and a solid two-way player. His quickness going backwards gives him proficiency in stopping the rush, and scouts love his ultra-smooth retrievals, as well as his calm, poised first-passes that kick-off the breakout. He's a transitional driver by pass or by carry, and will jump into the attack when the coast is clear- bringing a heavy shot that he can get on-net through bodies, and solid playmaking vision. He isn't menacingly physical, but he finishes his checks, and wins more than his fair share of puck-battles. Tri-City uses him on their first PP unit, and also on the PK.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

More thoughts from Central Scouting's Preliminary List:

-"B"-rated RD Giorgos Pantelas (6'2",214lbs) started his season with the Wheaties off with a bang, piling up 10 points in his first 9 games. Things have cooled off considerably for him, at least on the offensive side of the puck, with only 1 point in his last 10 contests- giving him a total of 16 points in 28 games so far this season. Pantelas specializes in shutdown defense anyway, which was his role in 5 games at the Hlinka in limited minutes (0 points in 5 games), and in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. He is decently mobile, highly aware, and intelligently positioned to close gaps quickly against the rush, and he plays a hard-hitting, intimidating physical game to separate man from puck. Pantelas is also a heads-up passer, both in transition, and in support of the offense, making him a key contributor in all 200-ft of the ice.

-Sitting 9th in scoring by U-18 players in the MHL is "B"-rated winger Gleb Pugachyov (6'3",198lbs), who scouts seem to like for the second-round. His numbers aren't exactly earth-shattering (7 goals and 20 points in 26 games), and some question his puck-skills and decision-making, but there is no denying how stellar he is without the puck. Pugachyov hunts pucks down with aggression, separates man from puck with violence, and uses his surprising mobility to limit his opponents' time and space in all three zones- he is a disruptor defensively with good habits, mature instincts, a high-end work-ethic, and attention to detail. Unlike many kids with large frames, he knows how to use his size, and he uses it prolifically to win board battles, intimidate on the forecheck, go to the net, and to bully his way around. Though he owns a good shot and solid finishing skills, he leans more towards being a playmaker, and he has enough IQ and vision to succeed in a middle-six role in the NHL-but his puck-skills have to catch up to his brain. Pugachyov has earned 4 games so far in the VHL, with one point, but reportedly hasn't looked out of place.

-Another Russian who is lurking around the second-round (and sneaking into the first on some lists) is "B"-rated (the "B" stands for "Behemoth") LD Nikita Shcherbakov (6'5",187lbs) has been playing in the men's professional leagues for most of the season. He actually started in the KHL, but with no points and poor ice-time in 7 games, he was sent to the VHL (4 assists and a -6 in 18 games), and is now dominating the MHL (6 points in 5 games) with Tolpar Ufa- although he's an older draft-eligible, with an October 23rd, 2007 birthday. While he may not be as jaw-dropping to watch as fellow Russian monster Dimitri Simashev was a few years ago, he is still a wonderful skater- especially for a player of his considerable size; he moves quickly and fluidly in all directions, and is startlingly agile on his edges. His mobility gives him the ability to kill rushes with his tight gap-control, escape attackers in retrievals, skate the puck through transition, and activate into the play in the offensive zone with the ability to come back quickly to his post defensively, without missing a beat. He handles well, has a hard shot from the point that he can get on-net through traffic, and sees the ice well, but he's more likely to be a puck-moving, middle-pairing D-man in the NHL, who can be used as a match-up option. He is used on both sides of special teams though, even in the VHL. Shcherbakov owns excellent instincts, positioning, and details in the defensive zone, but could afford to be much more physical; while he is aggressive in closing out attacks, he prefers to use stickwork to make stops.

-Teams who miss out on Caleb Malhotra in the first-round of the draft, might look to pick up RHC Carter Stevens in the second. Stevens was used mostly at center last season for the Guelph Storm, but has reportedly been playing RW this season, posting 10 goals and 18 points in 22 games (which prorates to 27 goals and 48 points in 59 games). He is a volume-shooting goal-scorer and finisher, who possesses an excellent shot with a deceptive release, a willingness to compete in front of the net, and ultra-soft hands in-tight for tips and rebounds. He will attack the net, and bring defenders with him, but understands how to find seams of open space in the offensive zone, and also knows how to draw opponents towards him in order to make room for his teammates- he can score from anywhere. While he's listed at 6'1" on some sites, Central Scouting measured him to be 6'2.25",195lbs, and he's a battler who does a lot of the dirty work in hard areas for his team, with a high-end motor and intensity. Stevens is very well-rounded, can play in all situations, and exerts a strong 200-foot game, but he's not dynamically skilled, and while he skates well- he doesn't possess high-end speed. He can still drive play through transition, and displays good hockey sense and awareness in all areas, but needs to add a better playmaking dimension, to make himself less predictable. I like this kid, and I feel he's being a bit underrated.

-A lot more was expected numbers-wise from "B"-rated RW Lars Steiner (5'9.5",175lbs), especially given his advanced age (born on Nov.12, 2007) and his eye-popping production last season in his D-minus-1 year, of 23 goals and 60 points in 57 games for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL. He started the current season with 8 points in his first 7 contests, but was hit with an injury bug that cost him 13 games- he now sits at 14 points (5 goals) in 15 games. I believed that Steiner would be chasing 90 points or more this season, and I think his current production is causing him to be overlooked, but I believe he is much better than his stats this year. Steiner is short in stature, but stocky and uncommonly strong, as well as well-balanced on his skates with a low center of gravity- and he plays like a pocket-sized power-forward, with a surprisingly robust physical style, an aggressive nature, and a willingness to battle in the greasy areas. Unlike many high-skill, undersized forwards, he also puts forth a gritty, high-energy defensive effort, and is successful in disrupting plays by being a pest, and engaging physically in order to dislodge pucks. While Steiner owns a sniper's release on a wicked wrister, he is known for his playmaking qualities, with his high-end IQ, vision, and creativity, on top of his soft-touch passing skill. Steiner moves around well, and shows excellent agility on his edges, but he must work to add an extra gear to his skating, and continue to get stronger.

-With the loss of talent that the Tri-City Americans experienced after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, I would've thought they were in for a huge drop- but as of right now, they are in the same place in the standings that they were then, in 15th-place in the WHL. The major difference is that they are second-worst this season in goals-for (82 in 29 games). With rearguards Jackson Smith and Terrell Goldsmith leaving for greener pastures, their top offensive-defenseman is now lefty Jakub Vanecek (6'1.5",191lbs), who leads the Amerks' blueline by 6 points with 17 in 27 games (prorated to 41 in 66); they chose him 25th-overall in the 2025 CHL Import Draft. While he isn't very flashy, Vanecek can do it all, with his high-end mobility and puck-skill helping him to be an excellent puck-mover, and a solid two-way player. His quickness going backwards gives him proficiency in stopping the rush, and scouts love his ultra-smooth retrievals, as well as his calm, poised first-passes that kick-off the breakout. He's a transitional driver by pass or by carry, and will jump into the attack when the coast is clear- bringing a heavy shot that he can get on-net through bodies, and solid playmaking vision. He isn't menacingly physical, but he finishes his checks, and wins more than his fair share of puck-battles. Tri-City uses him on their first PP unit, and also on the PK.

Hopefully that injury to steiner kind of buries him as we have two thirds right at the top of the round.

[Sandman]

More thoughts from Central Scouting's Preliminary List:

-Tappara's U20 squad is fairly mediocre this season, sitting 8th in the standings out of 18 teams, while sporting the 10th-best goals-for. The two top scorers on the club are first-time draft-eligibles RW Lucian Bernat (19 points in 25 games), and LW/RW Vilho Vanhatalo (16 points in 22 games). "B"-rated Vanhatalo (6'3",187lbs) stood out in the Hlinka, both on the scoresheet and on the ice, with 3 points in 5 games, putting his power game on full display. While I wouldn't call him "mean", he certainly knows how to use his size and range to his advantage, particularly in how he bulls his way to the net, and how he is virtually immoveable once he plants himself there- he looks bigger and stronger on the ice than his listed height and weight. He imposes his will along the boards, wins 50/50 battles, and finishes his checks with authority. Vanhatalo is a goal-scorer and finisher, and the term "high-volume shooter" doesn't begin to describe him, as he can routinely rack up over 10 shots in any given game in the U20. His shot is hard and heavy, and he gets it off in a hurry, and his hands are soft to cash in on in-close opportunities. There are flashes of playmaking prowess, and scouts would like to see him diversify his offensive game to include more passing, in order to make him less predictable. While he's like a runaway locomotive at top-speed, his start-up and acceleration could use some work, but he's already playing a mature, responsible two-way game that has earned him 5 games in the Liiga- but sadly, with no points.

-LW Braidy Wassilyn (5'11",194lbs) was sidelined for six weeks by a lower-body injury he sustained in the Niagara IceDogs' first pre-season game against Flint, that may have derailed what was supposed to be a promising season- especially after his 39-point (62 games) season in his D-minus-1 year. After 6 games back with the IceDogs, and 5 points, he was traded to the always-competitive London Knights, where he has produced 17 points in 20 games to date. His numbers so far put him on a trajectory to hit 52 points in 62 games, which is nothing to sneeze at, but I would've expected even greater numbers. Wassilyn is an excellent skater, with effortless agility and elusiveness, but he's an even better stickhandler who can dance around would-be checkers and weave through traffic. His level of puck-skill is among the best in this upcoming draft. While I wouldn't call him physical in terms of throwing his body around a lot, he's a hard-nosed, irritating battler, and he's also farmboy strong- when he pins an opponent to the boards, they're stuck. He competes in hard areas, and will go to the net-front to fight for positioning. Wassilyn has a good shot, and soft hands for beating goalies, but he is more of a playmaker who makes his teammates better, using his high-end offensive awareness, vision, and creativity, as well as his soft-touch passing skill. Going forward, his most pressing need is keep improving his defensive engagement and awareness, but he needs to unleash his bomb of a shot more often, instead of always looking for the pass. In my book, he's a first-rounder, and there's not a huge gulf between Wassilyn, and a guy like Mathis Preston.

-The Ottawa 67's have sure bounced back- after a 2024-25 season that saw them finishing 17th-overall in the standings, they are now the 2nd-best team in the league. "B"-rated LHC Thomas Vandenberg (5'11.5",179lbs) is 5th in scoring on the team, with 11 goals and 20 points in 23 games, and is turning many scouts' heads- even getting a first-round nod in Craig Button's rankings. He certainly deserves it, as few players are as well-rounded, or play the kind of mature all-around game that he does- and he's one of the youngest players in the draft, with a September 8th birthdate. Vandenberg drives play offensively, while shutting down the opposing team's attack going the other way- he plays a mature style that will translate well to the NHL. Other than possessing ideal size, he gets good grades in all areas- he's physical, skates and handles like a dream (he can make defenders look downright foolish), wins battles, and works hard, with sky-high motor. While he oozes hockey sense and offensive awareness, he leans a bit towards scoring goals, with the ability to turn goalies inside-out in-tight, and a laser shot with a paralyzing release. Love this kid, but I wish his numbers were a bit higher- even still, I wouldn't hesitate to take him with a late-first.

-While I thought he had trouble in his own zone at times in the Hlinka, a player I really took note of was "C"-ranked RD Samu Alalauri (6'1.5",203lbs), who finished in a six-way tie for 5th in scoring by D in the tournament (with Daxon Rudolph and Keaton Verhoeff, among others), with 4 points in 5 games. In league play this season to date, he is tied for 9th in scoring by D (16 points in 23 games) in the U20 League for the Pelicans, and he is their #1 defenseman, routinely logging between 20-25 minutes a night. Obviously, he's a workhorse and a minute-muncher, but Alalauri is also a calming presence from the backend, and moves the puck well- making smart decisions with patience and poise. He is remarkably well-rounded, and can play in any situation, but might be lacking any truly elite traits that scouts tend to look for; he skates quite well, exhibits good puck-skill, and plays a responsible two-way game with a high panic threshold. Alalauri is proficient against the rush, with tight gap-control and rigid angling, makes smooth retrievals while eluding forecheckers, and is a key contributor to transition with his vision, and crisp passing. He walks the line with authority, distributes well, and has a hard, heavy shot that he seems to get on net with good frequency. Though he is willing to throw his body around when needed, and threw some big hits at the Hlinka, he will fall back on his smart stickwork and positioning more often than not. He might be more of a second-pairing guy at the NHL-level.

-In October's QMJHL Top Prospects Game, one player who stood out to scouts was "C"-rated RW Rian Chudzinski (6'1",190lbs), with a goal and an assist, as well as plenty of grit and energy. In league play, the American-born winger plays for the Moncton Wildcats, a deep and talented team who sit 2nd in the Q standings; Chudzinski's 13 points in 22 games are 11th on that squad. His performance in the Prospects Game cements my belief that he can do a lot more when given the ice-time and linemates to succeed, as he is stuck in the bottom-six in Moncton. Chudzinski is an excellent skater with a separation gear and smooth edges, and he pushes his speed up a notch or two with his break-neck pace, relentless motor, and high-end work-ethic. He is a pest, an agitator, and a constant physical presence who plays a gritty, edgy game, and intimidates on the forecheck- as well as the backcheck. He has the speed, smarts, and awareness to match-up against the best players, and plays a rough-and-tumble, but detailed defensive game. Chudzinski's skills and IQ have been severely underrated because of his place on a contender, but he could fill the role of goal-scorer on most teams, with his ability to locate open space, his willingness to cut to the middle and attack the net, and his soft-touch in-close. He has a good shot with accuracy on a deceptive release, and can beat goalies from distance, as well. If there's something he needs to work on, it's developing a more prominent playmaking dimension, but he doesn't have the linemates to do that right now. Don't be surprised if he's one of the team's top-scorers in a year or two.

-"C"-rated RD Cameron Chartrand (6'0.25",204lbs) was selected 19th-overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2024 QMJHL Draft, but unfortunately for him, they are currently the second-worst team in the league- although they are 8th in goals-for. Scouts wish that Chartrand were more aggressive and assertive in the offensive end of the rink, but he has earned the reputation as a quality defender in his own zone who is good against the rush, as well as the cycle; his meager 5 points in 17 games ranks 5th on the 'Dogs backend. I’m sure he wasn’t drafted with the 19th-overall pick to be a shutdown defender, though. His best attribute is his excellent speed and agility, which gives him the ability to mirror his opponents' footwork on the rush, and then surf across smoothly to make the stop with deft stickwork, or a stiff check. There is very little time and space to operate in when he's standing guard, and he has the strength to deal with attackers at the front of the net. He shows solid awareness in his own-zone, as well as confidence and poise in smoothly retrieving pucks, and kickstarting the breakout going the other way with smart passes to streaking forwards. Hopefully, he can get something going offensively, as he is on pace for 15 points in 51 games. Chartrand also needs to work on his intensity and engagement, and has to be much more consistent game-to-game, as well as shift-to-shift.

[Aarongavey]

Saw Beltchez yesterday. He is definitely big, biggest guy on the ice. Does not really use his size in any significant way. Fanned on a chance in the second period and set up one other chance in the second period but other than that did not do much all game. 67’s beat them 2-1 and really controlled most of the game. He played with Nesbitt. But overall, just one game, he did not really do anything to stand out beyond his size and his skating ability which was good for a big man.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Saw Beltchez yesterday. He is definitely big, biggest guy on the ice. Does not really use his size in any significant way. Fanned on a chance in the second period and set up one other chance in the second period but other than that did not do much all game. 67’s beat them 2-1 and really controlled most of the game. He played with Nesbitt. But overall, just one game, he did not really do anything to stand out beyond his size and his skating ability which was good for a big man.

All tools and no toolbox is the vibe I get every time I watch.
Reminds me of a Joe Colborne, huge guy who could play a power forward game but just doesn't use his size well.

He should be dominating the kids in JR right now, he's a massive human.

Definitely not high on my list.

[Ashes]

24 points in 25 games in the SHL for Stenberg, and I'm seeing it updated now on Tankathon, NHL Draft, and a few other places that he's now listed at 6'0. NHLe of 46.9 points.

If he keeps this up and if McKenna doesn't find another gear in the second half I'm starting to think he's neck and neck for that 1st overall spot. Amazing top-4 this year, but maybe more should be said about this season Stenberg is putting together overseas.

If he slips to 3/4 I think there's a decent chance this could be like when Draisaitl "fell" to 3rd in 2014. I really hope we get to see Stenberg vs Mckenna at WJC this year.