DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Category: Reports

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Prabh Bhathal (C)

    Prabh Bhathal

    #14 Brandon Wheat Kings. Left shot centre. 6.02 / 214

    DOB: May 14, 2009

    Prabh Bhathal is an offensive forward with a pro-sized frame who is most effective around the net and in high-traffic areas. He contributes in all situations, seeing regular time on both the power play and penalty kill. Bhathal uses his size well, establishing strong net-front positioning and taking away sightlines for goaltenders. He consistently creates offense by battling in tight and capitalizing on loose pucks around the crease, showing a willingness to play in difficult areas of the ice.

    His faceoff ability is another strength, as he has proven to be a dependable option in the circle and can help his team start with possession in key situations. Combined with his special-teams usage and physical presence, he brings versatility and value to a lineup.

    At this stage of the season, I view Bhathal as an early second-round prospect. His size, net-front effectiveness, and ability to contribute in all situations project well to the next level. Long term, he projects as a 3/4 NHL centre, and provide value on both special-teams units.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Jaxon Jacobson (C)

    Jaxon Jacobson

    #9 Brandon Wheat Kings. Left shot centre. 5.11 / 190

    DOB: December 11, 2008 

    Jaxon Jacobson is an offensive forward who contributes in all situations, seeing time on both the power play and penalty kill. He displays good puck-handling ability and uses strong body positioning to protect possession and prevent opponents from separating him from the puck. His growth in the faceoff circle has been noticeable, as he has developed into a more reliable option on draws.

    On this viewing, Jacobson appeared somewhat flat compared to expectations. His backchecking effort was inconsistent, and he will need to keep his feet moving more consistently to improve his pace and overall effectiveness. Increased quickness and urgency away from the puck would help elevate his impact at both ends of the ice.

    Despite an underwhelming performance on this particular night, Jacobson remains a prospect with offensive upside and versatility. Based on this viewing and his body of work to date, I currently rank him 16th among eligible prospects. His long-term NHL projection is as a dependable 3/4 centre role while contributing on special teams.

  • Game Report – Soo Greyhounds 6 vs Brampton Steelheads 3 – September 25th, 2026

    The 1-1 Hounds faced the 0-3 Brampton Steelheads, hoping for their first win of the 2026-2027 season. The Greyhounds opened the scoring when Brampton’s Peter Green missed the puck behind the net, and McKenzie picked it up and centered it to Travis Hayes. They fired off goals 2, 3, and 4 in quick succession. Goal number 2 was a beauty with Ryan Kazcynski batting it in on a backdoor sauce pass. Then a shot from the slot by Jeremy Martin off a Hounds cycle. Then another very nice shot on the fourth goal with Laus sniping one far side off the rush. After the first intermission, the Steelheads made a goalie change, and the Hounds would completely shut down offensively. Evident by the Soo outshooting Brampton 12-5 in the first but getting outshot the next two. The teams would trade goals in the second, Amidovski and Daley respectively. Troy Patton would score early in the third to bring the game to 5-2. Travis Hayes would then restore the four-goal lead, and that would remain until the final 20 seconds when Brampton would pot one in while everyone else, but Peter Green, had lost sight of it. The Greyhounds would improve to above .500 with a final score of 6-3.

    Travis Hayes – Earlier on Friday morning, the Greyhounds had named the Pittsburgh Penguins 2025 Draftee and 4th-year Hound Captain. Just looking at the box score, he had an excellent first game as captain, but watching the game told a slightly different story. The Soo top line of himself, Quinn McKenzie, and Noah Laus did combine for 6 points, but both of those goals were errors the young and inexperienced Steelheads made rather than what those 3 Hounds did themselves. Good on them for capitalizing, but the line of Daley, Charron, and Kazcynski was much more disruptive.

    Callum Croskery – In his return to the Greyhounds from the Columbus Blue Jackets Training Camp after going undrafted in the 2026 draft. As a more mobile, offensive minded Croskery has already taken over the power-play quarterback role for the Soo. The Greyhounds first unit was held off the board. While he did showcase some mobility. For 2 thirds of this one, the Hounds played sound defensive hockey, not allowing Croskery to stand out.

    Landon Miller – The 5th-year Hound made his second start of the season following a 5- 4 overtime win where he had made 25 saves. The first period was rather quiet for Miller, only seeing 5 shots. The latter 40 was much busier for the Greyhounds netminder. The Soo skaters slowed down and limited their offensive pressure, which meant that, with much of the play being in his own end, Miller had to come up big, and he delivered. He made several desperation saves as well as breakaway and in tight stops. Other than two fluky goals, one was a high flip that landed over Miller and in the net. The other was a puck Miller thought he had but ended up on a Brampton stick. He had a solid night. If the Greyhounds can continue to get this type of goaltending, they should have a shot at winning most games.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Kayden Stroeder (C)

    Kayden Stroeder

    #10 Edmonton Oil Kings, Left shot centre. 6.00 / 165

    DOB: March 1, 2009

    Kayden Stroeder is a reliable two-way centre who impacts the game in all three zones. He plays with a high compete level and consistently works hard every shift. Stroeder is strong on his skates, allowing him to maintain possession through contact and win battles along the boards. He skates well with quick feet and above-average speed, enabling him to pressure opponents, close on pucks, and support the attack. He is trusted in all situations, contributing on both the power play and penalty kill, where he does an effective job of plugging passing and shooting lanes. His awareness and work ethic make him a dependable presence in defensive situations while still providing offensive upside. 

    To take the next step, improving his faceoff effectiveness will be important, particularly if he projects as a full-time NHL centre. Overall, Stroeder projects as a late first-round selection, currently around the 25th overall range. Depending on his development and organizational fit, he has the potential to become a first- or second-line NHL centre who can be utilized in all situations.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Max Calce (C)

    Max Calce #9
    C – June 11, 2009 – Mannheim, Germany – 5’11” / 181lbs – Left Handed – Adler Mannheim (DEL)


    Max Calce is an extremely well-rounded two-way center whose maturity, Hockey IQ and overall reliability provide him with an exceptionally high floor. At just 17 years old, he has already shown that he can hold his own as a regular player in the DEL, including against established professional competition. Calce skates well, protects the puck effectively and consistently makes intelligent decisions with possession. His passing is arguably his standout offensive attribute, with the vision and awareness to identify difficult lanes and create scoring opportunities for teammates. He also demonstrates strong offensive instincts away from the puck, recognizing developing plays and finding advantageous positions around the net. Defensively, Calce is responsible and positionally sound, with a good stick and the physical maturity to compete against grown men despite his age.

    The challenge with projecting Calce is that his game currently lacks an obvious elite trait that would suggest significant star-level upside. His skating, IQ, passing and defensive play are all strong, but none consistently separates him from other high-level prospects, while his faceoff performance remains an area for improvement. He was relatively quiet against Munich, although the quality of the opposition and their ability to limit top players provides important context. Conversely, his goal against Nuremberg showed that he possesses the speed, puck handling and intelligence to identify and exploit mistakes from experienced professional defenders. Calce’s combination of two-way intelligence, passing ability, skating and physical maturity gives him a very high floor, particularly given his ability to already function in the DEL at 17. His ultimate ceiling is less certain, however, as he will need one or more of his existing tools to develop into a genuine high-end strength if he is going to progress beyond a complementary NHL role.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Douglas Johnsson (RD)

    Douglas Johnsson #7
    D – July 1 2009 – Lulea, Sweden – 5’10” / 170lbs – Right Handed – Skelleftea AIK U20 (U20 Nationell)


    Douglas Johnsson is a highly mobile offensive defenseman whose skating, puck movement and offensive instincts give him legitimate upside at higher levels. His skating is his standout physical tool, with strong speed and change-of-direction ability allowing him to escape pressure, join the rush and create space for himself offensively. He has shown the ability to make crisp breakout passes and contribute on the power play, while his shooting and ability to manipulate defenders with changes of direction and feints provide another offensive dimension. Johnsson also displays solid Hockey IQ in offensive situations and has shown flashes of competitiveness around his own net, including the willingness and strength to battle larger opponents. His ability to cut off shooting lanes has also emerged as a positive defensive trait.

    The major concern with Johnsson is his defensive game, particularly his ability to defend the rush and consistently handle pressure in his own zone. Across multiple viewings, he was caught flat-footed or beaten cleanly off the rush, while questionable puck decisions and failed breakouts occasionally created dangerous chances against. His smaller frame also makes it easier for opponents to move him around in his own end, and he does not yet consistently drive defensive play at the level expected of a top-pairing defenseman. The offensive upside is clear, but the defensive deficiencies create a significant limitation on his projection. Overall, Johnsson projects as a mobile, offensive-minded defenseman whose skating and puck-moving ability could translate to an NHL role, but his path to that level will depend heavily on improving his rush defense, defensive positioning and ability to execute reliable exits under pressure.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Petr Tomek (C/RW)

    C/RW – October 23, 2008 – Trebic, Czechia – 5’10”/ 165lbs – Left Handed – HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech Extraliga)

    Petr Tomek is an undersized but highly dynamic forward whose skating, Hockey IQ and passing ability give him a legitimate high-end offensive foundation. His elite speed, edge work and stop-start ability allow him to generate separation and attack defenders with pace, while his quick release and strong shooting mechanics make him a dangerous scoring option off both his forehand and one-timer. Despite his 5’10”, 165-pound frame, Tomek consistently competes in the dirty areas, protects the puck extremely well and is willing to battle against significantly larger opponents. His strongest attribute is his Hockey IQ, as he consistently identifies passing lanes, anticipates developing plays and makes decisions that benefit his teammates. He also displays impressive leadership and communication, directing older teammates at Karlovy Vary in a manner that reflects the maturity he showed as captain of Czechia’s U18 team. His active stick and willingness to compete defensively further suggest he can contribute away from the puck.

    Tomek’s primary concern is his physical profile, as his 165-pound frame creates questions about how effectively his game will translate against the size and physicality of the NHL. While he possesses good upper-body strength and is difficult to knock off the puck, he is not naturally a physical or aggressive player and relies more on skill, intelligence and speed than imposing himself physically. His ability to consistently withstand NHL-level contact will therefore be an important developmental factor. At the same time, his performances against both Slovakia and the United States at the U18 World Juniors, followed by strong showings against Czech Extraliga competition, indicate that his tools can remain effective as the level of competition increases. Overall, Tomek’s combination of elite skating, rapid release, playmaking ability, Hockey IQ and leadership gives him legitimate NHL upside. If he can add significant strength and mass without sacrificing his skating, he projects as a top-six offensive winger at the NHL level.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Jonah Neuenschwander (F)

    Jonah Neuenschwander #19
    RW/C – March 10 2009 – Biel-Bienne, Switzerland – 6’3” / 187lbs – Left Handed – EHC Biel-Bienne (NL)

    Neuenschwander is a physically mature forward whose elite skating and powerful shot provide him with a strong foundation at higher levels. His acceleration and long, powerful strides allow him to create separation in transition, while his frame makes him difficult to contain once he establishes possession in the offensive zone. He protects the puck well and uses his size effectively to create passing lanes, with strong vision and an ability to find teammates through seams. His release is a legitimate weapon, capable of producing goals from both the rush and set offensive situations. He has also shown the ability to contribute on both special teams and uses his stick effectively defensively.

    Neuenschwander’s impact was inconsistent across viewings, although this should be considered within the context of his age and competition. He spent much of his 2025–26 season as a 16-year-old competing regularly in Switzerland’s National League, facing established professional players on a nightly basis, and his ability to earn that role at such a young age is itself significant. However, he did not consistently drive play or create offense at a level expected of a premier draft prospect. His passing can become careless under pressure, while his defensive awareness and engagement away from the puck remain inconsistent. His combination of elite skating, size and shooting gives him legitimate NHL upside, but his eventual ceiling will depend on whether he can translate those tools into more consistent play-driving, decision-making and overall impact as he matures physically and gains experience against professional competition.

  • 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Tomas Selic (RW)

    Tomas Selic #24
    RW – May 8 2009 – Bratislava, Slovakia – 6’3” / 197lbs – Left Handed- HC Kometa Brno (Czech Extraliga)

    Tomas Selic is a large, intelligent offensive winger who uses his 6’3” frame effectively and possesses strong offensive instincts. His Hockey IQ is the most notable aspect of his game, consistently finding gaps in defensive coverage, fading into open space and making quick decisions with the puck. He has shown good vision and passing ability, particularly on the power play, and has a strong understanding of where to position himself to create scoring opportunities. Selic also has a good shot and can contribute around the net, while his willingness to use his body has been evident in several viewings. His change of direction was particularly impressive against Switzerland, where he demonstrated the ability to turn quickly and make plays despite some concerns with his overall skating. He has also shown value on both the power play and penalty kill.

    The primary concerns with Selic are his skating, defensive consistency and physical engagement. His stride can become choppy and lacks the power and efficiency expected from a player of his size, while his skating appeared particularly problematic when he stepped into the Czech Extraliga against professional competition. Defensively, he can lose positioning or fail to remain engaged in his own end, and his overall defensive awareness needs significant improvement at 5v5. His shot is effective but relies heavily on his lower body and is less developed when he needs to release quickly off his back foot. Selic’s performance was noticeably stronger against players closer to his age, where his Hockey IQ and offensive tools allowed him to influence the game consistently, while the professional game exposed a substantial gap in pace and confidence. Overall, his offensive intelligence, size, passing and ability to find space give him NHL upside, with a potential bottom-six power-forward projection if he can improve his skating and become a more reliable defensive player.

  • Artyom Levshunov’s struggles could open the door for Kevin Korchinski

    Artyom Levshunov’s struggles could open the door for Kevin Korchinski

    There is one preseason game left for the Blackhawks, and they have yet to find a defenceman who can run the second powerplay unit.

    Artyom Levshunov is the natural first choice. As an offensive defenceman and recent second overall pick, Levshunov is expected to succeed on the powerplay.

    The 20-year-old was given plenty of opportunity to run the powerplay last season, and never quite figured it out.

    “Arty’s shown me a lot of confidence with the exception of when he gets on that power play, so we’re going to have to work through it with him.” Jeff Blashill knows he has a young, offensively gifted defenceman who needs time to learn. But with the Blackhawks trying to turn the page in the rebuild, they needed someone who can run the powerplay now.

    The addition of Bowen Byram takes the pressure of Levshunov to run the first unit. However, in a small sample size running unit two this preseason, it seems Levshunov’s struggles on the man advantage are still prominent.

    The same can be said of Sam Rinzel, who has also been given plenty of opportunity.

    This is where Kevin Korchinski enters the conversation. The 2022 seventh overall pick has had a rocky development path, to say the least. After a full season in the NHL at the age of 19, which in hindsight was probably the wrong choice, Korchinski has spent the last two seasons maturing in the AHL.

    In that time, Korchinski has put up 53 points in 109 games, played 20+ minutes a night, including top powerplay time, as well as penalty kill time.

    It seems that the 22-year-old is finally ready to make the jump to the NHL. Korchinski had a brief stint with the Blackhawks to end last season, where he played his best hockey at the NHL level. Korchinski picked up right where he left off to start training camp and the preseason.

    Korchinski has certainly given the Blackhawks a lot to think about, and depending on how much the Blackhawks value preseason performances, Korchinski could very well end up taking a spot.