2026 NHL Draft Thread

[Aarongavey]

Speaking of guys who have been branded as “W” on central scouting I do hope that by some miracle Ryder Fetterolf is available for the Flames to take in the 4th round or later. He is dominating the OHL in a way that most goalies do not at the age of 17. Some guy named Dustin Wolf had a similar level of dominance at the age of 17 but it rarely happens. Fetterolf is the same height as Mr. Wolf so hopefully other teams are still on the “goalies need to be big to be good” approach to scouting.

Fetterolf is going to Penn State next year and probably won’t be NHL ready until 31/32 at the earliest, which would be Dustin Wolf’s second last year of his current contract.

Not sure how to find the player you provide Sandman (and thanks again for providing them) but I really hope the Flames take this kid if he somehow survives and they take him. If you could post the Fetterolf one that would be appreciated.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Sandman

More Thoughts from Central Scouting's Preliminary List:

-LW Alan Skaikhlislamov (6'1",187lbs) has plenty of things working for him, but there's also a whole lot of red flags- it will be interesting to see where he gets picked in the 2026 Draft. For starters, the "C"-rated winger is one of youngest players available, with a September 4th, 2008 birthday, which gives him a longer development curve. Secondly, he owns an NHL-caliber shot with velocity and precision that can beat goalies from distance, and from any angle. In 2024-25, Shaikhlislamov put up the 15th-best season by a U-17 player in MHL history, with 33 points in 46 games, and his 20 goals are 5th-best all-time for a U-17 player, behind Michkov, Kucherov, Ryabkin, and Privalov. This season, he has been injured since late October, but produced 7 goals and 11 points in just 10 games prior to his injury, with a one-game cup of coffee in the KHL (no points, and a -3). He is a straight-line player with good skating ability and agility, and exhibits soft hands around the net, but he is unfortunately a quick-touch player who is purely opportunistic, as opposed to one who can drive play. His playmaking ability seems to be non-existent, and he defers to teammates to do any carrying, as he doesn't seem to be able to beat opponents one-on-one, he can't separate himself from checkers, and looks to have very little ability to create space for himself. He has size, finishes checks, has a nose for the net, and will plant himself in front of the crease on the PP for opportunities- he needs very little time or space to get a quality shot off. Shaikhlislamov contributes to team defense, and his positioning looks sound, but he's not as engaged or hard-working as he appears to be in the other end of the ice.

-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 15th-place (out of 20 teams) Brampton Steelheads- who are 19th in goals-for. 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'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. Stankoven is physical, defensively responsible, and works with a high motor. 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 next summer's draft.

-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 19 points in 25 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. 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.

-Ed Ta'amu was a 6'1",380lb offensive lineman in the NFL, who was selected in the 4th-round of the draft by the Minnesota Vikings. His son, "C"-rated LD Alofa Tunoa "Noa" Ta'amu (6'2",233lbs) was selected 3rd-overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2023 WHL US Prospects Draft, and is currently sitting at 3 points (39 PIM) in 29 games. His offensive numbers are paltry, but there's a reason as to why he was selected so early in that draft- he's physically intimidating, a stalwart shutdown defender, and a calming presence on the blueline for a team that sits in 4th-place in the WHL. Ta'amu is a standout in defending the rush, keeping tight gaps and forcing attackers to the outside- he never gives up the middle of the ice, and wins most puck-battles. His defensive awareness is high-end, making his positioning almost infallible, and though he has been criticized for inconsistencies in his aggression and intensity at times, he seems to physically separate his man from the puck at an unusually high rate. He casts a wide range with a long reach, and wields a well-timed, active stick to disrupt plays. It is impossible to overpower him in a net-front battle, and he imposes his will along the boards, tossing carcasses along the way. The rest of his game is quite simple, and devoid of any flash and dash, but he scans well to make the right play in retrievals, and is remarkably accurate and efficient in kickstarting the breakout. In the other end of the ice, he has been known to join the rush when it's safe to do so, and he will often activate into the play in search of offense. Ta'amu moves well for a big man, with fluidity and smooth mechanics, but his overall speed and agility are in need of improvement going forward. He could be a second-rounder.

-"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. Vaughan is a gritty power-forward type, who plays a hard-nosed physical game, but is not without skill or intelligence. 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 15 points (8 goals) in 33 games. 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.

-Not that it matters much, but in 2023-24, right-shooting LW Alexei Vlasov (5'9",176lbs) and teammate Yegor Shilov of Yunost Yekaterinburg ended up tied for the 3rd-best season of all time by a 15 year-old in Russia's U17 league. In the current season, the two comrades are teammates once again- this time for the Victoriaville Tigres of the QMJHL, and although Shilov is the more highly-touted of the two, it is the diminutive Vlasov that leads the squad in scoring, with 22 goals and 42 points in 32 games. Shilov is 2 points and 7 goals behind his fellow countryman, who is 7th in league scoring right now. Vlasov is short in stature, but he's built like a fire-hydrant at 176 lbs, and doesn't shy away from the danger areas, or from contact; in fact, he's a physical player who will throw his weight around to create space for himself, and goes to war for loose pucks along the wall. While he's smart and offensively aware enough to make plays, it's his shot that is his most prominent asset- he doesn't need much time or space to pick a corner for a blistering wrister, and he has no fear in cutting to the middle of the ice, or driving the net (he is fifth-overall in goals in the Q). Like most Russians, his stickhandling is very well-developed, and he can fool goalies in front of the net, or make defenders look silly in open-ice; the problem is that his skating is rather average, and not particularly dynamic or explosive, which will hurt his draft-standing this summer as a smaller player. To counter his lack of high-end mobility, he's a high-energy, high-motor sparkplug, and works hard on both sides of the puck.

-Earlier this month, with injuries to their blueline, the Saskatoon Blades traded overage center Dominik Petr and a 5th-rounder to the Spokane Chiefs for winger Elias Pul, and 17 year-old LD Kaden Allan (6'2.75",185lbs). Though he only has 5 points through 22 games split between the two teams, Allan is the prototype for what scouts want in a two-way rearguard- one with a powerful skating stride, an ability to move the puck, and a high activity rate in the offensive zone. I wouldn't call him mean (only 6 PIM), but he's strong and physical, proficient in defending the rush, and hard to go up against in front of the net. He scans thoroughly in retrievals and evades pressure, displaying a high panic threshold, and is cool and calm in his breakout passes- even showing the smooth puck-skills to skate the puck out of the zone by himself on occasion. In the offensive zone, he will activate when the opportunity presents itself, and he has an absolute cannon of a shot.

-Swiss-born RW/C Fabrice Bouvard (6'0.25",185lbs) was given a "W" as a player to watch for the 2026 Draft, but he certainly made an impression in the Hlinka as Team Switzerland's top-scorer, with 5 points in 4 games- good enough for 17th in tournament scoring. He was Mr. Everything for the Swiss, performing on both sides of special teams, supplying energy and a physical presence, and doing a lot of the heavy lifting for his line; Bouvard was the tournament leader in hits with 2.75 per game. In league play this season, he has posted 21 points in 25 games in the Swiss U21-Elit, putting him 9th in scoring by U-18 players- and he is one of only 2 U-18 players so far this season to play a game in the SL- the second-tier men's league (he has played 8 games with 1 point). Considering that he plays in a Swiss junior league, I would have expected better numbers, but it's hard to judge. He is a power-forward who plays a heavy game, intimidates on the forecheck, and can contribute in all 3 zones, and in any situation. Bouvard is a speedster, and though he sees the ice well enough to make skilled passes at times, I would say most of his play-creation comes from his tunnel-vision to the net, his willingness to drive the slot, and his presence in front of the crease, which generates chances for his teammates. He owns soft mitts in-close to beat goalies, and can find open space in the slot to unleash a hard, accurate shot. Going forward, he needs work on his puck-skills, which can negatively affect his playmaking, and his consistency- which shows highs and lows, not only game-to-game, but shift-to-shift.

-While he's been branded with a "W" by Central Scouting, and may not see top-six ice in the NHL, C/RW Ryder Carey (6'0",176lbs) is a player I like. He's actually putting up respectable numbers for a mediocre North Bay Battalion squad that sits 11th, out of 20 teams in the OHL, with 8 goals and 18 points in 25 games- which prorates to 43 points in 60 games. Interestingly enough, while he's 5th in scoring on the Battalion, he is 3 points out of first in scoring for the team, 3rd in plus/minus (+10), and second in ppg (0.72). Carey models his game after Ryan O'Reilly, and he does show some parallels to the veteran center, in that he is versatile (can play all forward positions), leads by example, drags his teammates into battle, plays a detailed and reliable two-way game, and supplies a heavy style with plenty of grit and energy. Carey is a power-forward who goes to war in all of the greasy areas of the ice, but also shows some skill, with a powerful skating stride, and well-developed puckhandling that enables him to carry through transition, and beat opponents one-on-one at times. It should come as no surprise though, as he drafted 16th-overall by North Bay in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. Like a true power-forward, he does a lot of his business in the low-slot, and is not afraid to drive the net, but also flashes high-end playmaking ability at times, with the ability to connect on dangerous passes through traffic- showing glimpses of quality vision and offensive awareness. I'm sure scouts would like to see higher numbers, with an effort towards turning those "glimpses" and "flashes" into regular occurrences.

If the Flames draft Szongoth, he could centre the goulash line.

[GioforPM]

Man, I’m getting less excited about this draft just because of the lack of centres. If you look back, high drafted wingers just don’t excel over centres taken close to them including later on. Cooley is better than Slafovsky IMO. Stutzle is clearly better than Byfield and Lafrenière. Hughes and Kakko were running close before their draft but look at the difference now. Same with Matthews and Laine.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by devo22

Maddox Dagenais seems to be working his way back into 1st round discussion. Had a good start last season, then had a concussion and seemingly looked off after that. Seems to be healthy and on his way up. Wouldn't mind him with our 2nd.

His refusal to play in Cape Breton and forcing a trade at age 15 is a massive red flag for me.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Dobber added to the list

11 rankings
Need 4 to get an average

Love these, Bingo!

Just noticed 9 is missing in this instalment.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Speaking of guys who have been branded as “W” on central scouting I do hope that by some miracle Ryder Fetterolf is available for the Flames to take in the 4th round or later. He is dominating the OHL in a way that most goalies do not at the age of 17. Some guy named Dustin Wolf had a similar level of dominance at the age of 17 but it rarely happens. Fetterolf is the same height as Mr. Wolf so hopefully other teams are still on the “goalies need to be big to be good” approach to scouting.

Fetterolf is going to Penn State next year and probably won’t be NHL ready until 31/32 at the earliest, which would be Dustin Wolf’s second last year of his current contract.

Not sure how to find the player you provide Sandman (and thanks again for providing them) but I really hope the Flames take this kid if he somehow survives and they take him. If you could post the Fetterolf one that would be appreciated.

WOLF and FetteROLF would be quite the tandem. Impenetrable!

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Man, I’m getting less excited about this draft just because of the lack of centres. If you look back, high drafted wingers just don’t excel over centres taken close to them including later on. Cooley is better than Slafovsky IMO. Stutzle is clearly better than Byfield and Lafrenière. Hughes and Kakko were running close before their draft but look at the difference now. Same with Matthews and Laine.

That's a very good point, and it's always easier to go C --> LW/RW than LW/RW --> C. Stutzle has played some wing, I believe Cooley did too when first entering the league, and Byfield also has. The best wingers, funny enough, are a lot of undrafted, late round picks, and outside-top 10 picks. The ones I first thought of were Kucherov, Kaprizov, Panarin, Gaudreau, Pastrnak, Rantanen (he was barely top 10), Nylander was 8th OA. Definitely makes you think if you're better off selecting a D-man or a center if they're at your pick, then just going high risk/high reward wingers in later rounds.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

That's a very good point, and it's always easier to go C --> LW/RW than LW/RW --> C. Stutzle has played some wing, I believe Cooley did too when first entering the league, and Byfield also has. The best wingers, funny enough, are a lot of undrafted, late round picks, and outside-top 10 picks. The ones I first thought of were Kucherov, Kaprizov, Panarin, Gaudreau, Pastrnak, Rantanen (he was barely top 10), Nylander was 8th OA. Definitely makes you think if you're better off selecting a D-man or a center if they're at your pick, then just going high risk/high reward wingers in later rounds.

C to W preferred of course, but I guess we could throw in Matthew Tkachuk (who is building a HOF resume) at 6, Marner at 4, but it is an interesting observation to be sure


top 15 scorers last 10 years
McDavid 1OV C
Draisaitl 3 OV C/w?
MacKinnon 1 OV C
Kucherov round 4 W
Panarin no draft W
Pastrnak 25OV W
Crosby 1OV C
Marner 4 OV W
Rantanen 10 OV W
Matthews 1OV C
Marchand round 3 W
Kane 1OV W
Scheifele 7OV C
Ovechkin 1OV W
Tavares 1 OV C


7 Cs all taken in first 10 picks
8 Ws only 3 taken in first 10 picks


(next are Barkov, Aho, Miller, Point, Stamkos and Tkachuk), so similar themes but some lower drafted Cs- starting to break trend)

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

That's a very good point, and it's always easier to go C --> LW/RW than LW/RW --> C. Stutzle has played some wing, I believe Cooley did too when first entering the league, and Byfield also has. The best wingers, funny enough, are a lot of undrafted, late round picks, and outside-top 10 picks. The ones I first thought of were Kucherov, Kaprizov, Panarin, Gaudreau, Pastrnak, Rantanen (he was barely top 10), Nylander was 8th OA. Definitely makes you think if you're better off selecting a D-man or a center if they're at your pick, then just going high risk/high reward wingers in later rounds.

Well, TBF there is that Ovechkin guy. And Marner and Tkachuk.

[Sandman]

More Thoughts on Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings:

-No goalies made Central Scouting's "A" list, but there are a few candidates that could sneak into the first-round of the 2026 Draft if a team goes hunting for a netminder, and "B"-rated LG Harrison Boettiger is one of them. While he's usually listed at 6'3", Central Scouting measured him to be 6'1.75",189lbs. An American born in Colorado, he plays this season in Kelowna of the WHL, where he sports a 2.90 GAA (13th), and a .907 SV% (tied for 9th), on a record of 9-4-2. He played a game in each of the last 2 iterations of the CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, for Team NTDP in 2024 (0-1-0, 3.00 GAA, .921 GAA), then for Team CHL in 2025 (0-1-0, 3.07 GAA, .880 SV%); in the 2024 contest, he kept the Americans in the game despite being largely outclassed, eventually losing 3-2. He became quite familiar with being outgunned in his two seasons with the NTDP, but usually got favorable reviews for his play against College players, and USHL competition. Boettiger has been called a "big-game performer", as he has a solid mental base that keeps him competitive, as well as calm and collected, and he resets well after letting in a goal. While he is both fairly athletic and owns near-elite technical skill, it might be his ability to read the play in front of him that is his best asset, along with his hockey sense. He battles for loose pucks around the crease, and shows improving rebound-control, but isn't the best puckhandler, and can struggle a bit with heavy traffic. Even still, the speed at which he moves side-to-side, as well as up-and-down is quite well-developed, and he seals the lower part of the net off proficiently. Going forward, there is a perception that his blocker side is a bit weak.

-The top goalie on many pre-draft lists is another American (born in Toronto), "B"-rated LG Brady Knowling (6'5",202lbs), who is toiling for the NTDP, posting a 5-7-0 record with a 3.63 GAA, and an .887 SV%. Some may still have his performance in the 2025 CHL-USA Top Prospects Challenge fresh in their minds from November, where he stopped 42 of 44 shots (.955 SV%) en route to a 4-2 win over Team CHL in game #1, and Player of the Game honors for Team USA. He really made a name for himself in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup for Team USA, winning four games (with two key victories against Canada, and then Sweden in the Gold-Medal game), and sporting a 2.35 GAA, with a .914 SV%. Knowling is a huge hybrid goalie, and understands how to cut down angles and make his net look smaller by aggressively challenging shooters. He is also quite athletic and flexible, with impressive mobility around the blue paint, as well as up-and-down quickness to a set position; he is quite controlled as well, and doesn't seem to lose his net when surfing laterally. It's no surprise, but his legs are long and quick, and it's difficult to beat him low- he covers a ton of net, even when down on his knees. Knowling is blessed with mental fortitude, which he needs when playing for the NTDP, but he also exhibits competitiveness, a calm demeanor, and an ability to "shake it off" seamlessly after a goal. He also never gives up on a rebound. There is a need to tweak his explosiveness side-to-side, and his ability to track the puck with heavy traffic in-front- although he is fully capable of making clutch "desperation" stops.

-The Guelph Storm are currently sitting in 13th-place in the 20-team OHL, but they would be much worse-off it weren't for their #1 Goalie, "B"-rated LG Zachary Jovanovski (6'3",187lbs), who bears no relation to Ed Jovanovski. Zach is 13-9-2, with a 3.66 GAA, and an .889 SV%, which looks pretty poor, but compare those numbers to those of his back-up, Colin Ellsworth- who is 2-6-1, with a 4.71 GAA, and an .860 SV%. Jovanovski relies a lot on his positioning, technique, and size, but is also capable of making athletic saves based on pure reaction, reflexes, competitiveness, and desperation. His tracking is one of his best assets, as he can find the puck through traffic, and follows the shot in order to calculate where the rebound will be- he seems to be proficient in stopping the second and third chance. His glove-hand is another important asset, and he is mobile in his crease- he moves well laterally by exploding off of his posts, and has good control when he slides on his pads. Of course, to be designated the #1 Goalie on a team like Guelph (and own a winning record), one must be mentally tough and resilient, and Jovo seems to be a battler- he stays even-keel after giving up a goal, and comes back stronger after a bad period. Going forward, there is still a need for better rebound-control, as he throws out too many second-chance opportunities, and his puck-control is shaky at best.

-Drafted in the first-round (48th-overall) of the 2025 CHL Import Draft by the Drummondville Voltigeurs, "B"-rated LG Jan Larys (6'3",168lbs) has been tasked with splitting netminding duties with Dayton Kitchener (another 2026 draft-eligible) for the 4th-placed team, 18 games to 15. Through Larys' 18 appearances, he has posted a 2.89 GAA (11th), and a .907 SV% (6th), going 13-5-0, which makes him the best U-18 goalie in the Q by a wide margin. His 13 wins are 5th-overall, despite playing less games than those ahead of him. Larys has quick feet in the crease, tracks the play well through traffic, and has solid hockey sense and anticipation. His movements come with expert control- he never overcommits when going side-to-side, and doesn't lose his net when sliding. His up-and-down mobility into the butterfly might be the best in this class, as he seems to effortlessly explode back to a set position after dropping down in the butterfly, and he uses this skill to stop second and third chances. This ability is needed, as he gives a lot of rebounds, and struggles to control them. Larys has sharp reflexes, and a reliable glove hand, but doesn't come out to the top of his crease enough to challenge shooters, instead staying a bit deeper in his net.

-"B"-rated LG Frantisek Poletin (6'1",190lbs) is a favorite for many scouts, but his stock has dropped a slight bit after he missed nearly two months of the current season due to injury; he has been working to regain his form. Currently, he is 2-4-0 in Finland's U20 League for the 2nd-placed Pelicans, with a 2.54 GAA, and an .893 SV%. While he looked quite good at the U-18 Worlds (0-2-0, with a 3.69 GAA, and a .903 SV%), he was less than stellar at the Hlinka (4.01 GAA, .875 SV%) for Team Czechia. Poletin (who is the younger brother of 2025 Islanders' 4th-rounder, Tomas Poletin) is technically and positionally sound, using his high-end play-tracking to always stay square to the puck; he plays low to see around bodies, deals well with traffic, and scans very thoroughly when the play goes behind the net. He is also quite athletic, with sharply-honed reflexes and uncommon flexibility, and speed in going post-to-post; some say that he needs work on his edges, though. He manages rebounds well, and seems to be able to corral the pucks he doesn't initially swallow up, which means he doesn't have to scramble as much as other goalies, or make as many desperation saves. Poletin seals off the bottom of the net proficiently, and flashes the pads quickly, but some think he has a bit of trouble with high shots, and his glove hand has been criticized. There is plenty of runway here though, as he's one of the youngest players available in this draft class, with a September 13, 2008 birthday.

-Russian netminder, left-catching Dmitri Borichev (6'2",194lbs), is gaining traction on some lists as a possible top-100 pick, but Central Scouting lists him as a "W", or a player to watch for later rounds. He plays for Loko-76 Yaroslavl of the MHL, but many don't realize that it's a feeder team for Loko Yaroslavl of the same league- the team names are almost identical, but the quality of competition and ages of the "76" team are lower, because they play in what is basically a relegation division. That means that Borichev might face opponents of slightly lower quality than he would if he were on the main Loko squad. His stats are still pretty impressive for a kid born on June 19th, 2008, going 4-5-0, with a 1.91 GAA (11th for goalies with 10 games or more), and a .941 SV% (3rd for goalies with 10 games or more). Those who watch him on a regular basis usually seem to have glowing reviews, and there are some who insist that he's taller than the 6'2" that he's usually listed at. While his glove hand and it's placement have been questioned, the rest of his game seems to be quite polished, with rapid (yet efficient) movement side-to-side, as well as forwards and backwards when challenging shooters, and up and down to butterfly position. He explodes off of his posts laterally, and seals them off like a brick wall. Mentally, he is always calm and poised, and has the same effect for the team in front of him; he wields solid technical skill and angling, but also owns the athleticism to scramble when the defense breaks down. There is a need to refine how he plays through screens, though. I would prefer to see what happens when he goes up against competition in higher leagues before getting too excited about this young netminder, but don't be surprised if he's picked in the top-64.

-As a 17 year-old in his D-Minus-1 year, "B"-rated RG Tobias Trejbal (6'3.75",188lbs) played the 3rd-most minutes between the pipes in Czechia's U20 league (2239 in 38 games), faced the third-most shots (1151), and owned the 5th-best SV% (.930%). Though he only saw 4 games of action in their playoffs, his SV% stood up as 5th-best overall (.920%). He was drafted in the 5th-round (72nd-overall) by the Youngstown Phantoms in the 2025 USHL Entry Draft, and he has repaid them this season by posting the fourth-highest SV% (.915), with the second-best GAA (2.09), in the sixth-highest TOI (1062 minutes over 18 games), with a commitment to play for UMass in the 2027-28 season. Trejbal is a little older by draft standards, born on November 9th, 2007. While he already covers a ton of net, moves very quickly, and angles well, he tends to stay a little deeper in his net than he should, and doesn't come out to the top of his crease enough to challenge shooters. His post play is elite for his age group, as he seals off the net well from peripheral shots, and uses them well to explode laterally; however, his edges need work as his pushes lack the proper control, and force him to make too many micro-adjustments on the fly. Trejbal is athletic and flexible, with good tracking ability and superb anticipation, but along with how deep he stays in his net, his glove hand (and it's placement in set position) has come into question. There's enough to work on here to suggest that Trejbal will be a bit of a project, but he is mentally strong, and will have some suitors on Draft day.

-In 2024-25 a young goalie who had played the bulk of the season in Minnesota's High School circuit (10-9-1, with a 2.72 GAA, and a .912 SV%) by the name of Carter Casey, stole the Waterloo Blackhawks' net for the playoffs, and led them to the USHL finals, going 10-3-2, with a 2.53 GAA, and a .918 SV%. He played the most minutes by far in the post-season, with his 949 minutes towering over the next highest mark of 593; and for goalies with 2 games or more, his SV% was 3rd-best. His play earned him a "C"-rating from Central Scouting, meaning that in their eyes, the 6'2",181lb left-catching Casey could go in the third, or fourth-round. The problem with that is the fact that he's still very raw, and still relies too much on his athleticism and reflexes over positioning and technique. This season in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, he has gone 9-3-2, with a 3.17 GAA, and an .882 SV%, although overage starter Jordan Switzer hasn't fared much better (13-3-3, with a 2.88 GAA, and an .894 SV%). Casey moves with lightning-quickness in his crease, owns sharp reflexes, solid athleticism, and excellent flexibility- he isn't afraid to play the puck either, and generally does it well. He tracks the play well, but his stance and his anticipation are still both a work in progress. He seals off the bottom of the net proficiently, and does more of the same with his posts, but he needs better rebound control, and less over-committing in his movements. There are also concerns with his mental makeup; though his competitiveness is a good thing, he can lose composure in net-front scrambles. Fans love him because of his highlight-reel saves, but scouts would probably like to see more of a calm and composed game, with improved technique and anticipation.

-"C"-rated LG Parker Snell (6'2",176lbs) has been blessed with backstopping the 4th-best team in the WHL, the Edmonton Oil Kings, going 10-4-1, with a 2.84 GAA, and an .895 SV%, while splitting duties with 19 year-old Ethan Simcoe. In 2024-25, Snell only played in 2 contests for the Oil Kings, but both were shutouts; the rest of the season was played in the CSSHL (a U-18 prep league), so he's taken a huge step up this year in competition. Snell's mental game is among the best in this class, with his play-tracking, scanning, anticipation, and poise all getting top grades- he has excellent hockey sense, and seems to be always ahead of the play, and positionally sound. He is also a good skater with strong edges, and moves around the crease with explosiveness, as well as control- he doesn't seem to over-commit much, or lose his net when sliding. Furthermore, he stays square to the shooter with deft micro-adjustments, but has enough athleticism to make a scrambling save when needed. Snell's elite anticipation helps him with his rebound-control, as he either directs shots to the corner, swallows them up in his chest, or pounces on them before they become dangerous. There are things to work on though, and one of his main issues is his struggles against the rush, but he has plenty of problems with consistency as well- he isn't always as dialed-in as he should be. He uses a wide stance to cover more net, and while it's usually not a big detriment to his ability to push laterally, it gives him a wide and vulnerable five-hole. He also tends to have problems scanning with heavy traffic in front of him. There's a good base here, and he's still young- with an April 21st, 2008 birthday.

-The Rimouski Oceanic are currently the 13th-place team in the QMJHL out of 18 teams, and only one of those clubs has scored less than their 77 goals through 31 contests. Those numbers show just how impressive their #1 goalie, "C"-rated LG William Lacelle, has been- going 12-6-1, with a 2.59 GAA (5th in the league), and a .921 SV% (3rd in the league). It was more of the same in the 2024-25 season; with Lacelle starting the campaign as a 16 year-old, he went 27-5-3, with a 2.38 GAA (4th), and a .909 SV% (11th), for the second-place Oceanic, before losing his net to Mathis Langevin in their run to the Memorial Cup. Lacelle doesn't have ideal size for a goalie (he was measured to be 6'0.5",176lbs by CS), but his feet are elite for his age group; he moves with explosiveness around his crease, but is always in firm control, with excellent agility on his edges to make little micro-adjustments to stay square to the puck. He is a solid technical goalie, but has the foot speed and athleticism to compensate when he has to abandon technique for a desperation save. Furthermore, his ability to recover is another big asset of his, as he can pop up from being down in the butterfly better than most young netminders. Lacelle is flexible, and flashes the pads with lightning speed, giving him the ability to seal off the bottom of the net effectively. His mental make-up gets good grades, as he stays composed and calm under pressure, but he's also seemingly always ahead of the play with his ability to track the puck through traffic, and his anticipation- he is usually in good position to make the save. He competes hard, and seems to be consistent in never taking a night off. Lacelle needs plenty of work on his rebound control, and also his performance in net-front scrambles. Some young goalies rely too much on technique, but he seems to rely too much on his reflexes and athleticism. Without ideal size, it will be interesting to see where he is picked in the 2026 draft.

-Central Scouting didn't even give "W"-rated LG Ryder Fetterolf (5'11.5",184lbs) the respect enough to give him a "C" in their Preliminary Rankings. Though not in possession of ideal size, he is killing it in the OHL with the Ottawa 67's in his rookie year, going an incredible 17-3-1, with a 1.93 GAA (1st in the league), and a .928 SV% (2nd in the league), helping his team to the top of the standings. Fetterolf is no stranger to dominance, as he went 49-0 (you read that right!) in the USHS-Prep circuit in 2024-25, with a 1.64 GAA, and a .940 SV%. Other than a one-game audition in the USHL last season where he let in 6 goals, he has put up solid numbers wherever he's been- and fans of the 67's will tell you that he's won games this season all by himself. He will need work on his propensity to stay deep in his net, and he can lose the proper angles at times, but most of his attributes are pretty solid. His concentration and compete are high-end; he is always dialed-in, works hard in net-front scrambles, and never gives up on a play- he battles hard to make second, and third stops, and fights through traffic to keep eyes on the puck. Like most smaller goalies, his tracking and scanning are huge assets, but his anticipation and hockey sense are high-end- giving him proactive positioning that he facilitates with quick shuffles to micro-adjust. His feet are extremely quick, his edges are strong and agile, and his movements are controlled and deliberate- both side-to-side, as well as up-and-down in butterfly position. His superb athleticism often bails him out when technique fails, and he wields the flexibility and quick pads to cover the bottom of the net, and to seal off his posts. True weaknesses are few, but he's going to need plenty of work on his rebound-control. Scouts are waiting to see if he can keep up his play for the duration of the season, as it's quite a big jump from the Prep leagues to the OHL, but there's no signs of him slowing down- his last game on December 20th was a 6-0 shutout of the powerhouse Brantford Bulldogs. Fetterolf's stop in the OHL will be a short one, as he's committed to Penn State for next season.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Fetterwolf?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Sandman

More Thoughts on Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings:


-Central Scouting didn't even give "W"-rated LG Ryder Fetterolf (5'11.5",184lbs) the respect enough to give him a "C" in their Preliminary Rankings. Though not in possession of ideal size, he is killing it in the OHL with the Ottawa 67's in his rookie year, going an incredible 17-3-1, with a 1.93 GAA (1st in the league), and a .928 SV% (2nd in the league), helping his team to the top of the standings. Fetterolf is no stranger to dominance, as he went 49-0 (you read that right!) in the USHS-Prep circuit in 2024-25, with a 1.64 GAA, and a .940 SV%. Other than a one-game audition in the USHL last season where he let in 6 goals, he has put up solid numbers wherever he's been- and fans of the 67's will tell you that he's won games this season all by himself. He will need work on his propensity to stay deep in his net, and he can lose the proper angles at times, but most of his attributes are pretty solid. His concentration and compete are high-end; he is always dialed-in, works hard in net-front scrambles, and never gives up on a play- he battles hard to make second, and third stops, and fights through traffic to keep eyes on the puck. Like most smaller goalies, his tracking and scanning are huge assets, but his anticipation and hockey sense are high-end- giving him proactive positioning that he facilitates with quick shuffles to micro-adjust. His feet are extremely quick, his edges are strong and agile, and his movements are controlled and deliberate- both side-to-side, as well as up-and-down in butterfly position. His superb athleticism often bails him out when technique fails, and he wields the flexibility and quick pads to cover the bottom of the net, and to seal off his posts. True weaknesses are few, but he's going to need plenty of work on his rebound-control. Scouts are waiting to see if he can keep up his play for the duration of the season, as it's quite a big jump from the Prep leagues to the OHL, but there's no signs of him slowing down- his last game on December 20th was a 6-0 shutout of the powerhouse Brantford Bulldogs. Fetterolf's stop in the OHL will be a short one, as he's committed to Penn State for next season.

Thanks for this, love this kid. Brantford was pretty good in that last game you cited, they were the better team in the first but Fetterolf made 2 or 3 elite saves and then the 67’s took over in the second period. His backup (and the guy who was supposed to be the starter) is a kid named Nelson who is not a bad goalie. He has a .907 sv percentage on the same team compared with Fetterolf’s .928. Really hope the Flames use a pick on him as because of his size I could see him going late because hockey folks seem to really obsess on size for goalies.

The only goalie better than him on sv percentage is a kid in his D+1 year on Kingston who has excellent numbers as well on a pretty bad team.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Thanks for this, love this kid. Brantford was pretty good in that last game you cited, they were the better team in the first but Fetterolf made 2 or 3 elite saves and then the 67’s took over in the second period. His backup (and the guy who was supposed to be the starter) is a kid named Nelson who is not a bad goalie. He has a .907 sv percentage on the same team compared with Fetterolf’s .928. Really hope the Flames use a pick on him as because of his size I could see him going late because hockey folks seem to really obsess on size for goalies.

The only goalie better than him on sv percentage is a kid in his D+1 year on Kingston who has excellent numbers as well on a pretty bad team.

Not that it matters all that much, but the 67’s are also 6th in goals for, while sitting atop the OHL, points-wise. I’m sure Fetterolf has stolen a few for them.

[Sandman]

Draft-Eligibles to watch in the WJC:

USA:
-D Chase Reid
-D Dakota Rheame-Mullen (D+1)
-G Brady Knowling

SWEDEN:
-W Ivar Stenberg
-D William Hakansson
-C Viggo Bjorck
-W Liam Danielsson (D+2)

SLOVAKIA:
-C Tobias Tomik
-C Tomas Pobezal (D+1)
-D Adam Goljer
-C Tomas Chrenko
-LW Adam Nemec
-D Luka Radivojevic (D+1)

SWITZERLAND:
-RW Lars Steiner
-D Daniil Ustinkov (D+2)
-Robin Nico Antenen (D+2)
-LW Jamiro Reber (D+1)

GERMANY:
-C Elias Schneider (D+1)
-LW Gustavs Griva (D+1)

FINLAND:
-D Juho Piiparainen
-D Niklas Nykyri (D+2)
-D Mitja Jokinen (D+2)
-LW Jasper Kuhta (D+1)
-RW Leo Tuuva (D+2)
-C Oliver Suvanto
-LW Matias Vanhanen (D+1)
-G Patrik Kerkola (D+1)

CZECHIA:
-D Tomas Galvas (D+2)
-D Vladimir Dravecky
-LW Adam Novotny
-D Jakub Vanecek
-G Ondrej Stebetak (D+1)
-G Michal Orsulak (D+1)

CANADA:
-D Carson Carels
-D Ethan MacKenzie (D+1)
-LW Gavin McKenna

LATVIA:
-C Rudolfs Berzkalns
-D Alberts Smits
-C Olivers Murnieks
-RW Bruno Osmanis (D+1)

[mile]

https://twitter.com/user/status/2004973418840818025


https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/...y-to-commodity

Šmits walks around with a clear no-nonsense approach to his hockey career. He doesn’t have a favorite player, he doesn’t compare himself to anyone, and when he was asked about his family and brother, he refused to give their names.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by mile

https://twitter.com/user/status/2004973418840818025


https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/...y-to-commodity

Dillon Brooks vibes.
Must have on Flames.

[Tbull8]

What a gamer

[Fan69]

I must break you!

Like it. Like it a lot.

[Roof-Daddy]

When do they usually announce where the draft is being held?

I'm surprised it's still TBD. Probably Vegas at the Sphere again?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

When do they usually announce where the draft is being held?

I'm surprised it's still TBD. Probably Vegas at the Sphere again?

Friedman reported Montreal was likely.

edit: actually he said 3 to 4 cities still in the mix including montreal