2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.3rd: Big Wesley Royston (6'4",190lbs) is a rough-and-tumble power-forward who can take over games with his intimidating physicality, and his dazzling speed. Royston was "C"-rated, probably because he may never be a top-6 player in the pros, but I think he's capable of more offense than he's been able to muster this season, as he had 27 points in 63 games last year. In late-October, he was traded from the Erie Otters to the Owen Sound Attack, going from 4 points in 13 games, to 14 points (9 goals) in 42 games- for a total of 18 points in 55 games. When prorated, he is on pace for 13 goals and 21 points in 63 tilts (with 94 PIM), which shows a regression in his numbers from last season. Owen Sound isn't a very good team, sitting 14th in the standings out of 20 teams, but they are 7th in goals-for, so Royston is usually tasked with providing energy and physicality from the third-line. Central Scouting currently has him pegged as #51 for North American Skaters in their Mid-Terms.

As stated, Royston's standout trait, aside from maybe his size and physical impact, is his impressive skating; he moves startlingly well on a long and powerful stride that allows him to accelerate rapidly up to a pace-pushing top-speed that makes him effective in all three zones. It must be a daunting sight for a puck-carrier to see Royston barreling in on the forecheck, or for a goalie when he's charging at the net. Royston is more than capable of winning battles on the merits of his strength and size, but his relentless puck-pursuit makes him a suffocating presence for opponents all over the ice. Royston owns good hands around the net, a willingness to set up shop in front of the goalie, and a very underrated shot- he could be a player that pops for the Attack in a few years. Unfortunately, his hands aren't always as fast as his feet, which can give him puck-control issues at times, so he has to keep his touches short and quick, and plays a relatively simple and straightforward game, devoid of much flash or dynamism. He backchecks hard, throws bone-crushing hits, will drop the gloves, and provides energy, but it's that high-end skating that will interest scouts the most (he can separate in open-ice), with the possibility of being an impactful bottom-six player in the NHL. There is hope for more though, especially if he opts to develop his game further by attending University- there are reports that he will be going to the U of Michigan in the fall. Despite being an older player, with a Nov.22nd, 2007 birthdate, look for him in the second, or third-round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Mar.3rd: B-Rated C Landon Hafele (5'11.75",185lbs) has a big flaw- he was born on September 18th, 2007, meaning he missed the cut-off for the 2025 Draft by just 3 days. Other than that, he actually possesses a projectable game, with pace and physicality, speed and intensity, and a defensive conscience. Central Scouting has him ranked #48 for North American Skaters, even though he may not look like a potential top-six center in the show. He was 14th in USHL scoring at the end of November, with 22 points in 20 games, but has tumbled all the way down to 48th- posting 12 goals and 35 points in 42 tilts with the Green Bay Gamblers, who are one of the top-teams in the circuit. The native of Fairbanks, Alaska will be attending the University of Arizona in the fall.

Hafele goes to the greasy areas without fear, wins battles in the trenches, has a nose for the net, and plays with an edge (48 PIM)- he is a hard-nosed, gritty competitor with a fire in his belly, who wins a high number of 50/50 contests. He has one of the best motors in this draft-class, with an elite competitive streak, bringing energy and relentless physicality to his team, while keeping his feet pumping in perpetuity. He is extremely versatile, with the ability to play center or wing, the checking skills to be a match-up option in a team's bottom-six, the crafty playmaking ability to produce on a top-line, and the two-way acumen to contribute to both sides of special teams. With a dogged puck-pursuit game in all three zones, he is hard to separate from because of his blazing speed; he wins races to loose pucks, makes a high number of recoveries, and outruns opponents in open-ice. In the two seasons prior to this one, Hafele played bottom-six minutes for the NTDP, where he learned solid defensive habits, complete with an acute eye for detail, staunch positioning, and efficient use of his body and stick to separate man from puck. He's a pesky, in-your-face checker who suffocates attackers of time and space. In the offensive zone, he shoots for volume, but his rather paltry 12 goals is indicative of his poor shot-selection, lack of precision, and perhaps a deficiency in his shot's power and velocity. He attacks the net off-puck to finish, and finds space in the slot for chances in-tight, with most of his tallies coming from within 10-15 feet of the net. His value comes from his ability to keep pucks funneling to the net, shooting to create second-chance opportunities, and his crisp, accurate passing skill. While he's not highly creative, he does show an ability to manufacture space for himself and his teammates through fakes and deception, cut-backs, and delays. Going forward, he needs to bulk up and get stronger for the next level, but he may project better to the wing, as he's not very good on the face-off dot. Look for him in the second, or third-round.

[Nadal Fan]

Do you think there is a chance Yegor Shilov would still be available with the Vegas pick?

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Do you think there is a chance Yegor Shilov would still be available with the Vegas pick?

Both Shilov and Suvanto seem to be in the teens early 20’s on most lists. I would be surprised. Big centers go quick

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Do you think there is a chance Yegor Shilov would still be available with the Vegas pick?

yes because LV's pick will drop into that range.

[Sandman]

I think we have a shot at Shilov, he seems to lurking around in the twenties…

[Monahammer]

Would love Shilov with the vegas pick.

Though if it is too late for him, I am all for going for Ruck with that pick and other Ruck with our early 2nd.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Would love Shilov with the vegas pick.

Though if it is too late for him, I am all for going for Ruck with that pick and other Ruck with our early 2nd.

We would likely have to trade up. I would happily trade our 2 3rds to move up from the 2nd to a late 1st to secure both the twins. It probably doesn't require both 3rds, but even if it did, I would do that.

McKenna
Ruck
Ruck

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

We would likely have to trade up. I would happily trade our 2 3rds to move up from the 2nd to a late 1st to secure both the twins. It probably doesn't require both 3rds, but even if it did, I would do that.

McKenna
Ruck
Ruck

As someone who lives in Med Hat and has followed the Tigers closely, that would be fun.

Not a lot of size in those picks, but tons of elite skill and hockey sense.