2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Ba'alzamon]

Originally Posted by Sandman

[Informed Vladimir Dravecky hype]

FWIW, I thought Dravecky looked better than Jiricek early on.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Not attitude but suitably arrogant is what I have heard.

I can forgive some arrogance. Especially when everything and everyone in your physical environment has been constantly telling you you're the best player etc..

[Tbull8]

Pretty sure any player that makes it to the NHL has some level of arrogance to them. They've likely been the best player on their team since they were 8 years old.

[Roof-Daddy]

Quiet confidence can look like arrogance.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Quiet confidence can look like arrogance.

Suitably. Suitably. Like appropriate. Matching the level of competence.

I don't want wallflower meek losers like all of us.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.2nd: The Kitchener Rangers are currently 5th-overall in the OHL, even though their win % of .719 is third-best, and they have scored the 6th-most goals (178 in 48 games) in the league. The Rangers made some big moves before the January 9th OHL trade deadline in an effort to bolster their lineup for the playoffs, bringing in C Sam O'Reilly, F Gabriel Chiarot, F Dylan Edwards, and D Jared Woolley in separate deals, while jettisoning D Jacob Xu, and D Jakub Chromiak. They were also elevated by the return of D Matthew Andonovski from the AHL, who was their Captain last year. Since the deadline, LD Alexander Bilecki (6'2",181lbs) has posted 7 points in 9 games, to give him a total of 23 points in 47 games to date, which prorates to 33 in 67. While he has mostly been used on the third-pairing this season, he has seen a big increase in ice-time and responsibility in January, with the departure of Xu and Chromiak, forcing Central Scouting to change his "C"-rating from their Preliminary Rankings to a "B", which indicates a possible 2nd, or 3rd-round pick. He is also #38 for North American Skaters.

Bilecki is a formidable defender, and one of the best transitional defensemen available in this draft-class. He plies a solid, mistake-free puck-moving game, devoid of much dynamism or flash, and wields intelligence in all three zones. A second-round pick of the Rangers, he has his own-zone game down pat, displaying proficiency in derailing rushes with his quick feet, tight gaps, and active stick, while disrupting the cycle with sound positioning, keen awareness, and a noticeable physical edge. He defends his net vigorously, breaks up plays, intercepts passes, and blocks lanes against the cycle; he has been tasked with PK duties, and performs well in those situations. Bilecki makes a high number of recoveries, and shows a lofty panic threshold when outmaneuvering (or outrunning) pressure in retrievals, while scanning for an exit pass. He moves the puck quickly and efficiently in breakouts with remarkable confidence and poise, and is a huge part of the Rangers' transition, tilting the ice in his team's favor by pass, or by carry. Bilecki is a quick and agile skater, with the puck-protection and handling skill to rush the puck through exit and entry, while evading defenders' efforts to stop him with quick changes of pace and direction, mixed with a bit of deception. In the offensive zone, he exhibits top-tier instincts, and uses his smooth edges well to walk the line in search of open lanes for his cannon of a shot, or to pry open passing seams. He will not only join the rush, but he will lead it, and will activate into the play off the line when he sees an opprtunity. Bilecki is only now getting a real chance to flex his offensive muscle with increased ice-time, but I think his presence in the lineup made it possible to trade Xu and Chromiak. All in all, he's an incredibly well-rounded blueliner with emerging offensive flair. Look for him in the 2nd, or 3rd-round.

Sounds like a Yes.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Ba'alzamon

FWIW, I thought Dravecky looked better than Jiricek early on.

I think you’re right. Dravecky was a first-rounder on more than a few lists too early in the season.

[Fan69]

Hey Sandman whats your read on Wyatt Cullen?

[Teroy]

My suggestions:
Ivan Stenberg
Tynan Lawrence/Caleb Malhotra
Ryan Roobroeck
Alfssandro Di lorio
Alex Elofsson
Landon Amrhein
Evan Jardine
Eddy Doyle
Parker Trottier
Joe Iginla

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Hey Sandman whats your read on Wyatt Cullen?

Here's my write-up:

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.20th: There aren't many gems coming out of the NTDP this year for the 2026 Draft, but the top one- at least according to Central Scouting- is LW Wyatt Cullen (5'11.25",174lbs), who they have rated as the 23rd-best North American Skater. That's quite a feat, considering that he's been limited to just 15 games total so far this season due to injuries, but his cause had a huge boost with his stellar performance in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. In that event, he finished in a four-way tie for 1st in scoring, with 3 points in two games, and scored the game-winner in the first tilt. The son of three-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Cullen had an excellent 2024-25 season, where he put up 31 points in 55 games with the NTDP, and impressively- 17 of those points came in 33 games against USHL competition. He was also named Player of the Game in the All-American Game, which is a contest between two teams made up of draft-eligibles from the USHL and NTDP, where he put up 2 goals and an assist for the losing team. In the 18 months prior to returning to the NTDP lineup from his injury earlier this campaign, some claimed that he had grown from 5'6" to his present height- which must have been difficult for him to navigate. There are also plenty of rumors that he now measures 6'1". Another big selling point is that Cullen is one of the youngest players available in this draft-class, with a Sept.8th birthday.

Cullen may not be the biggest guy, or the most physical, or even the fastest, but he is scrappy and intense enough to win more than his fair share of puck battles, and he is fearless in going to the hard areas of the ice. He is a high-motor, pace-pushing winger who drives play with his dynamic skill, competitiveness, and determination. He might be more quick than outright fast, and his mechanics aren't perfect, but he can beat defenders with deft footwork on his smooth edges, displaying the ability to sidestep contact with quick changes of pace and direction. If all else fails, he is still hard to stop, with his ability to play through contact, spin off of hits, and bounce off of attackers like a pinball. He owns fast hands to handle brilliantly while in full-flight, or weave through traffic, and has a deep arsenal of deception tactics that make opponents miss their check. Cullen has all the skills needed to be a top goal-scorer, including soft mitts, a good shot with a paralyzing release, and the ability to get open in unoccupied pockets of space, but he is primarily known for how he makes his teammates better with his high-end playmaking acumen. With elite vision and sublime instincts, he drives the offense and provides his teammates with advantages by finding them in areas of high-danger; he can pull off difficult passes through small spaces in traffic with near-perfect weight and placement, tape-to-tape. Cullen understands how to draw pressure in order to open space, and also uses cut-backs, changes in his angles, as well as delays to buy time. Even without an intimidating physical element in his game, he manages to be an effective forechecker, applying immense pressure on puck-carriers with his intensity and pace, and is often able to create turnovers to re-start the cycle. Cullen is usually well-positioned in the defensive zone, and he remains hard-working and energetic, but he doesn't seem as willing to get his nose dirty in his own-zone, as he is in the other end of the ice- he often lets his teammates do the heavy-lifting in regaining pucks. He isn't horrible in this area, but his awareness and engagement are a bit deficient in comparison to the other two-thirds of the ice. Don't be surprised if he is taken with a late-first this summer.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Here's my write-up:

Draft Thoughts:

Jan.20th: There aren't many gems coming out of the NTDP this year for the 2026 Draft, but the top one- at least according to Central Scouting- is LW Wyatt Cullen (5'11.25",174lbs), who they have rated as the 23rd-best North American Skater. That's quite a feat, considering that he's been limited to just 15 games total so far this season due to injuries, but his cause had a huge boost with his stellar performance in the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge. In that event, he finished in a four-way tie for 1st in scoring, with 3 points in two games, and scored the game-winner in the first tilt. The son of three-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Cullen had an excellent 2024-25 season, where he put up 31 points in 55 games with the NTDP, and impressively- 17 of those points came in 33 games against USHL competition. He was also named Player of the Game in the All-American Game, which is a contest between two teams made up of draft-eligibles from the USHL and NTDP, where he put up 2 goals and an assist for the losing team. In the 18 months prior to returning to the NTDP lineup from his injury earlier this campaign, some claimed that he had grown from 5'6" to his present height- which must have been difficult for him to navigate. There are also plenty of rumors that he now measures 6'1". Another big selling point is that Cullen is one of the youngest players available in this draft-class, with a Sept.8th birthday.

Cullen may not be the biggest guy, or the most physical, or even the fastest, but he is scrappy and intense enough to win more than his fair share of puck battles, and he is fearless in going to the hard areas of the ice. He is a high-motor, pace-pushing winger who drives play with his dynamic skill, competitiveness, and determination. He might be more quick than outright fast, and his mechanics aren't perfect, but he can beat defenders with deft footwork on his smooth edges, displaying the ability to sidestep contact with quick changes of pace and direction. If all else fails, he is still hard to stop, with his ability to play through contact, spin off of hits, and bounce off of attackers like a pinball. He owns fast hands to handle brilliantly while in full-flight, or weave through traffic, and has a deep arsenal of deception tactics that make opponents miss their check. Cullen has all the skills needed to be a top goal-scorer, including soft mitts, a good shot with a paralyzing release, and the ability to get open in unoccupied pockets of space, but he is primarily known for how he makes his teammates better with his high-end playmaking acumen. With elite vision and sublime instincts, he drives the offense and provides his teammates with advantages by finding them in areas of high-danger; he can pull off difficult passes through small spaces in traffic with near-perfect weight and placement, tape-to-tape. Cullen understands how to draw pressure in order to open space, and also uses cut-backs, changes in his angles, as well as delays to buy time. Even without an intimidating physical element in his game, he manages to be an effective forechecker, applying immense pressure on puck-carriers with his intensity and pace, and is often able to create turnovers to re-start the cycle. Cullen is usually well-positioned in the defensive zone, and he remains hard-working and energetic, but he doesn't seem as willing to get his nose dirty in his own-zone, as he is in the other end of the ice- he often lets his teammates do the heavy-lifting in regaining pucks. He isn't horrible in this area, but his awareness and engagement are a bit deficient in comparison to the other two-thirds of the ice. Don't be surprised if he is taken with a late-first this summer.

Appreciate good sir. Damn shame he is a lw.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.3rd: A player who gets criminally underrated is LW Evan Jardine (6'0",179lbs), who plies his trade for the 1st-place Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, posting 38 points (17 goals) in 34 games- which ranks 14th in league scoring. Those numbers put him on pace for 60 points in 54 games, with 27 goals and a lofty 92 PIM. Tempering projections is the fact that he's an older player, with an October 23rd birthday, but his 2024-25 production of 44 points in 62 games (tied for 36th in USHL scoring) negates those concerns a bit. Prospects from the USHL aren't getting the respect they used to in previous years it seems, possibly because some perceive that the talent has been a little watered-down this season, and it shows a bit in Jardine's case, as he's the #115 North American Skater in Central Scouting's Mid-Term List. He has put up 14 points in his last 6 tilts, but that's mostly because he piled up 10 points in 2 games against a very weak NTDP squad; before that, he was below a ppg, and had produced 18 points in his previous 20. Jardine was a standout in December's World Junior "A" Challenge for Team USA, where he led the tournament in points, with 7 assists (no goals) in 5 games, en route to a Gold Medal. He will be attending Ohio State next season.

Jardine lacks size and strength, and his deficient footspeed limits him a bit right now, but he is never outworked, moves through contact while maintaining possession, and plays a hard-nosed physical game with a reliable two-way conscience. Apparently, Jardine was just 5'4" at age 15, and is still getting used to being 8 inches taller. Even with a need to get stronger, he launches himself into puck-battles, and plays with competitiveness and snarl. Jardine may not be fleet of foot yet either, but he flashes solid agility with his maneuverability in escaping pressure, and he still plays with pace; I believe some of his mobility issues will be fixed as he gets stronger and further developed physically. Where he is underrated is in his playmaking and passing, as well as his staunch off-puck habits; he is always in perfect position to support his teammates, and can complete smart passes in traffic while under duress- his high-end IQ and hockey sense are sometimes unfairly overlooked. While he's not a true play-driver, his passing skill is up there with the best in this draft-class, showing soft-touch in his feeds with the exact weight needed to his teammates' wheelhouse through small seams in traffic, with a proficiency in working give-and-go sequences to make extra space. He knows how to use deception as a tool to get a little separation from checkers, but he can connect with his mark between feet with slip passes, over sticks with saucers, and through triangles with backhands; he pulls off difficult passes at times that few others could. Though he leans into his passing, Jardine finds good scoring scoring positions in coverage, and also has a dangerous, deceptive shot, and the quick hands to beat goalies in-tight; he is used heavily in the bumper position on the PP. In the other end of the rink, Jardine brings his high-motor, compete, and snarl to his checking duties, sporting fairly good details and awareness in the defensive zone. Going forward, he will need to get bigger, and a whole lot stronger to handle the rigors of pro hockey, but his speed and explosiveness also need a bit of work. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

That doesn't matter, if he produces offense at superstar levels he can do it any way he likes.

It does matter though. That stuff works against kids, will it work at the NHL level? That’s what separates the good players from the great players. How many top guys in the league would you say are perimeter players?

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.3rd: A player to watch is RW Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, and it will be very interesting to see where he's taken in the draft. In 2024-25, his stats were 27 goals and 3 assists in 38 games- yup, you read that right. This season, JLH has amassed 9 goals and 7 assists, for 16 points in 9 U20 games (to go with 33 PIM), which earned him 2 games in the SHL (no points), but he hasn't played since Oct.18th. He was a background piece for Team Sweden in last Summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and failed to pick up a point in 5 games, but came home with a Silver Medal. He is #31 for European Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings, which is impressive, considering his small sample size of games this season, and the fact that he's older than most first-time draft-eligibles, with an October 24th, 2007 birthday.

Clearly, this is a player who LOVES to score goals, and is able to tally them up in bunches. His highlights (and I recommend watching them) make him look like a 6'2",175lb Pavel Bure- they mostly consist of him either deking out a player or two for a 1-on-1 shot at the goalie, an end-to-end rush for a dangerous opportunity, or beating an opposing defenseman wide to go in alone on goal. He is highly aggressive, and always attacks with blistering speed and pace to force opposing defensemen back on their heels- he is highly effective off-the rush. JLH is an electrifying skater, and he owns hands that are quick enough to keep up, with a laser shot on a deceptive release, and the moves to beat goalies in-tight; his wrister is hard and heavy, displaying the ability to fire off the catch, or shoot with precision while on the fly. He also owns a bomb of a one-timer. He possesses a goal-scorer's instincts in finding unoccupied space around the net, and doesn't hesitate to attack the middle, or drive the net. JLH is a skilled stickhandler with solid protection skills who keeps control of the puck through contact, and can turn would-be checkers inside-out with his dazzling array of one-on-one moves and deception when flying up the ice. The problem is, most of his points come from highly individualistic plays, he doesn't show much playmaking skill, and offers virtually nothing when he doesn't have possession of the puck; this makes scouts highly doubtful that his style will translate, but I wonder if he could be molded to play the right way. He has a bit of a chip on his shoulder (though he takes some selfish, undisciplined penalties) and there is a physical game there in flashes, but he too often passes up the forecheck, doesn't do much to make things difficult for opposing teams, and isn't very interested in defense- but he shows glimpses here and there of being able to do all of the above, plus he can drive play. There's no disputing his overflowing toolkit, his impressive physical profile, or the skills he brings, but he might be a long-term project. Look for him in the middle-rounds.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.3rd: LD Ossi Tukio (6'1.75",186lbs) is one of the older first-year eligibles in the 2026 Draft, with a Nov.3rd. 2007 birthdate, but he's currently 6th in scoring by D in the U20 League, with 24 points in 30 games for Ilves. His efforts have earned him 1 game in the SHL so far this season, way back in September, where he put up an assist in 6:43 TOI. Wearing the "C" for Ilves, his +20 is tied for 6th-overall in the U20 (6 of the top-10 are from Ilves), and his 8 goals are first for defensemen. In 2024-25, Tukio was 39th in scoring by D, with 14 points in 33 games, and appeared in 3 SHL contests (no points). Ilves' U20 team is the best in the circuit by a fair margin, and their 159 goals in 37 games is ahead of the pack by 20. He is #44 for European Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term List.

Though Tukio plays in all situations for Ilves, and is featured on both special teams, he leans more towards the offensive side of the ice, and displays an active puck-movement game. Tukio's skating speed is rather average, and can limit him in certain situations, but his high level of activity, as well as his aggression and intensity help to mask his deficiencies- he seems to be all over the ice in a shift, always involved, and usually around the puck. It helps him that he's a well-trained stickhandler who can maintain possession under duress, and protects well against physical pressure, but he can still struggle with puck-control, due to his chaotic style; Tukio commits his fair share of turnovers, but can also rack up large numbers of takeaways as well. With well-honed passing skill, he is a high-value transitional asset to his team, and can connect with teammates on the run with difficult feeds through traffic. While he makes a solid first-pass out of the zone, and can stretch the ice with with some long-bombs at times, he isn't perfect in this area, and needs some work on his decision-making. Tukio is quite physical and competitive, works hard in battles to secure loose pucks, and has a touch of a mean streak along the boards, and in front of the net. There is a need to clean up his defensive game though, and his ability to read the game in his own-zone has been called into question- while he works hard, and applies physical pressure on attackers, he is sometimes out of position, and lacks details. He is wildly inconsistent against the rush as well, with a need to improve his footwork and gap control. In the offensive zone, he sees the ice well and has keen instincts to make high-value plays, and is not afraid to experiment. His best tool though, is his cannon of a shot that he uses prolifically- sometimes up to 10-15 times in a game- that he can get on-net through traffic, and is also his main conduit to make plays. Tukio's advanced age, high-event game, and defensive woes will be a factor in his draft- positioning, but there's more than enough in this package to see him getting picked in the 3rd, or 4th-round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.4th: The season looked lost for American-born RW Kalder Varga (6'0",181lbs), who had a disappointing first-half of the season, posting a rather paltry 11 points in 34 games for Kelowna of the WHL. Much more was expected of him after his 24-point season over 58 games in 2024-25, even earning a "C" from Central Scouting in their Preliminary Rankings at the start of the season, which indicates a possible 4th, or 5th-round pick. His season appears to have been saved though, with a January 2nd trade that sent him to Red Deer (with a couple of picks) in exchange for 19 year-old Keith McInnis. Though he was dealt from a top-10 team to a very poor Rebels squad that currently sit 19th in the 23-team WHL (and third-last in scoring), he was given a new lease on life, with 13 points (5 goals) in 15 games on his new team so far. Varga showed well in last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup while wearing an "A" for Team USA, producing 3 points in 5 games en route to a Gold Medal. He was the Rockets' 1st-round draft-choice, 7th-overall, in the 2023 US Prospects Draft, but is #164 for North American Skaters on Central Scouting's Mid-Term List.

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, which makes him a key contributor in transition. His speed and puck-skill makes him capable of pushing immeasurable pace and driving play, but his high-end mobility also makes him a pest on the forecheck with his ability to close quickly on opponents, and to doggedly hunt down puck-carriers. Varga is a high-motor attacker, and never seems to stop moving his feet, staying active and aggressive for the entirety of his shifts; his effort and engagement have come under some scrutiny in the past, but it appears that this deficiency has been addressed for the most part. Despite not being the biggest player on the ice, he is physical and tenacious, hard on pucks, and more than willing to venture into the greasy areas of the ice to compete for possession. Varga plies an inside-focused game that makes him a huge threat on the cycle, with no fear of driving the net or cutting to the slot from the boards, and owns a well-balanced offensive skillset; he has an accurate shot with a stunning release, as well as the vision and awareness to make plays. Varga can fire off the catch, or finish in-tight, but he can also find open seams in traffic to execute his well-developed passing-skill to create advantages for teammates. He possesses soft mitts, and will set up in front of the net for scoring chances while willfully taking a beating to stay in position. Varga's one big detriment, aside from a perceived weakness in decision-making under duress at times, is his deficient defensive awareness, which can make him poorly positioned. Look for him in the middle-rounds. if he can keep up his scoring pace with the Rebels.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.4th: "C"-rated RW Parker Vaughan (6'1",194lbs) is another player that I really like, and I believe he's better than his stats; he was the 5th-overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection by the Barrie Colts, and was traded mid-season in 2024-25 to the North Bay Battalion- who are currently 11th, out of 20 teams in the OHL. His production this season has been a bit disappointing; after posting 17 points in 64 games split between Barrie and North Bay last year, he is currently sitting at 24 points (10 goals) in 48 games. He is #141 for North American Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term List.

Vaughan is a gritty power-forward-type, who plays a hard-nosed physical game, but is not with out skill or intelligence. He shoots for volume, and creates offense for his teammates in the form of tips and rebounds, with a shot release that is NHL-caliber. He attacks the middle, and drives the net for close-in chances, exhibiting fast hands, smooth handling, and a soft-touch to beat goalies. Vaughan exhibits play-driving capabilities, possesses a high IQ and offensive awareness, and can sniff out open space in the offensive zone to set up in, with flashes of elevated playmaking skill. In the defensive zone, he looks like a grinder, with physicality to dislodge pucks, an attention to detail, and the intensity to remove time and space from attackers- he is trusted on both sides of special teams for his tenacity and fluid puck-skill. With his speed, puck-protection, and slick handling, he can drive transition- sometimes through both exit and entry. Although he moves well, and looks fairly agile, further upgrades to his explosiveness and top-speed are needed. His consistency has to be addressed, and he might be left out of the draft if he doesn't improve his offensive numbers.

[Sandman]

Nvm

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.4th: How about a Hungarian to round out your prospect base? Budapest native Doman Szongoth (6'1",198lbs) has been a member of KooKoo's system in Finland for the last 3 seasons, and was the leading-scorer in the U16 League in 2023-24, with 76 points in 33 games. The following year, in 2024-25, he was the top-scoring U-17 player in the U20, with 16 points in 37 games- he was also 13th-overall in PIM, with 57. In the current season, he is plying his trade for KooKoo's U20 squad once again, and is 4th in team scoring, sporting totals of 22 points (8 goals) in 33 contests to date. Earlier this calendar year, he became the youngest player ever to play in the Men's World Championship, at just 16 years-old. He is #38 for European Skaters on Central Scoutings' Mid-Term List.

Szongoth is a big power-forward, who is listed as a LHC, and plays a robust physical game with an edge. While he generates good speed when he gets some runway, his stride looks a bit mechanically deficient, with a slightly shorter step and a hunched-over stance- which limits his start-up, and his quickness in small areas. His overall mobility is enhanced somewhat by his elevated work-ethic, his strength on the puck, and his well-developed protection skills. He sees the ice quite well, moving around with his head up to map out his surroundings, and can complete difficult, dangerous passes through traffic. He is a contributor to his team's transition through pass, or by carry, and is considered to be a capable play-driver. While he is an apt playmaker, his goal-scoring ability and finishing skill were his most prominent attributes in season's past; he owns a sniper's release, a power-forward's willingness to drive the net, and a scorer's soft hands in-close. Szongoth is a responsible player as well, who is as hard-working and physical on the backcheck, as he is on the forecheck- he reads the play proactively, in order to deploy sound positioning. Hopefully, he can find a way to produce bigger numbers, but his team is a bit mediocre- sitting 11th-out of 18 teams.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.4th: In 2024-25, "C"-rated LHC Matej Stankoven (6'0",188lbs) was the 2nd-highest scoring U-17 player in Slovakia's U20 League, with 30 points in 32 games; that mark represents the 58th-best season all-time in that circuit for a player of that age group. This season, while he has played on every line, he has been charged with mostly bottom-six minutes for the 17th-place (out of 20 teams) Brampton Steelheads- who are 18th in goals-for. He participated in 3 games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Slovakia, and picked up a goal in three games. Stankoven is #172 for North American Skaters on Central Scouting's Mid-Term List.

Stankoven, who is apparently a distant cousin of Logan, is a cerebral, two-way center, who is actually pretty well-rounded, and a solid all-around player- though you wouldn't know that by watching him play in Brampton. He is usually in good position, and proficient in finding open space in coverage. He's not a burner, but he moves very well, has the stickhandling to make defenders look foolish, and divides his attack fairly evenly between his pro-level shot, and his playmaking skill. He sees the ice well, processes quickly, and makes sound decisions- which helps him affect transition in a positive way. With top-tier passing skill, he exerts a soft-touch in his feeds, he can thread the needle through traffic, and has the use of saucers, backhands, and slip-passes at his disposal. His playmaking game isn't always on full display in Brampton, but he owns sublime instincts, as well as high-level vision and offensive awareness. Stankoven is physical, defensively responsible, and works with a high motor- he is a tireless worker, doesn't back down in puck-battles, and pushes pace. The Steelheads took him in the first-round of the 2025 CHL Import Draft, with the 38th-overall pick, but unless he increases his offensive output- he may not hear his name called by an NHL team at this summer's draft.