Category: Reports

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Chase Reid (RD)

    CHASE REID, SAULT STE. MARIE GREYHOUNDS

    Chase Reid burst onto the scene following a midseason move to the OHL and carried that hype and momentum into an elite draft season leading the Soo Greyhounds blueline. An explosive skater and dynamic player with the puck, Reid was the engine that keyed the Greyhounds’ attack and produced impressive numbers for a team without much high-end depth around him. 

    Reid’s offensive instincts and aggressiveness off the puck lead to plays at both ends of the ice, throwing big hits and showing the ability to maneuver around defenders with his puck skills. A consistent presence in the rush, Reid uses his skating ability to generate tons of chances and shows some strong vision when moving around the offensive zone. His offensive abilities point to a future impact player on the powerplay, as he’s got great dexterity along the blue line and a hard, accurate shot with a quick release. While his attacking mindset leads to many highlight-reel plays, his decision making and focus in the defensive zone could use some improvements. However, his physical tools and the ability to drive play and create for himself he showed this season should land him near the top of the first round as a potential top-pairing defenseman in the NHL. 

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Ryan Roobroeck (C)

    Ryan Roobroeck
    Projection: Middle 6 Center
    Strengths: One-touch release, Maturity, Situational Versatility
    Weaknesses: Off-puck play, Consistency, one-dimensional worries

    Analysis:
    Ryan Roobroeck is the best offensively minded center in this draft.
    His instant release when the puck reaches his stick makes him one of
    the best pure goal scorers in this draft. Pairing that with his super
    high hockey IQ provides him with the ability to read the play and take
    advantage of open ice to be in a position to utilize that lethal shot.
    He is also one of the more mature and disciplined players in this
    draft. He uses his body and stick properly when defending and has a
    long stride that helps him stick to attackers, so he rarely resorts to
    taking any “dumb” penalties. With this maturity, too, his coaches can
    rely on him in all situations. With his offensive mind, he is a given
    for their power play, but he can also be plugged into the penalty kill
    due to his reliability and great understanding of the game.

    What I find Roobroeck to lack is in terms of his consistent drive to
    be the best on the ice. He can cause analyzing the play instead of
    engaging in it, which can leave him in an awkward spot to catch up to
    the play or miss being a part of it entirely. I would classify this as
    a consistency issue, where he just isn’t on his “A game” every shift.
    He shows with his offensive talents and maturity how good he is when
    he is on his game, but not being on it every shift really brings him
    down my list. Because of this consistency issue, I would be worried
    about how he would translate his game to the pro level. If he doesn’t
    become more consistent as a whole, he might fall to becoming a
    one-dimensional scorer at the pro level, which obviously isn’t the
    worst thing in the world, but not something you’re looking for in a
    top-tier talent.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Jack Hextall (C)

    Jack Hextall:
    Projection: Middle 6 Forward
    Strengths: Compete, Playmaking, Puck control
    Weaknesses: Strength of competition, Physicality

    Analysis:
    Jack Hextall doesn’t know what it means to quit. He is relentless and
    consistently giving it his all on the ice. He plays with a level of
    care and competitiveness that not many players have. Without the puck,
    he does whatever it takes to regain possession or provide his
    teammates with another option to pass to. With the puck, he has
    exceptional stickhandling, vision, and passing, which makes him a
    lethal power play or transition player. He is also a great skater, so
    chasing after opponents or barreling towards loose pucks comes easily
    to him. In all honesty, I really like his game and see him as an
    excellent, well-rounded, versatile middle 6 forward.

    My concern for Jack has nothing to do with his play at all, but more
    with the players he plays against. Playing in the USHL, the
    competition isn’t as high as the CHL or NCAA, so to do what he is
    doing in the USHL is still impressive, but it would be much more
    impressive in a harder league. That gives me worries that if he isn’t
    extremely dominant in the USHL, how easily would it be for him to
    translate his game and style to a harder or even professional league?
    Next year, when he is playing for Michigan State, if he has very good
    numbers and plays well there, whatever team picks him could have a
    very promising player on their hands. I also wish he could be more
    physical and have better body positioning along the walls, but again,
    that’s something to work more on in harder leagues.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Alexander Command (C)

    Alexander Command:
    Projection: Middle 6 Center
    Strengths: Hockey IQ, Faceoff prowess, Vision
    Weaknesses: Stick handling, Physicality, Top speed

    Analysis:
    Alexander Command is a very controlling and patient centerman. It’s
    funny that his last name is Command because that’s exactly how he
    plays. He takes control of the play without the puck, often directing
    traffic and commanding the play to help his teammates make decisions
    and create chaos in the offensive zone. He has a super high hockey IQ,
    being able to see plays develop and react accordingly in real time,
    helping him be in the right place at the right time. His vision helps
    him take advantage of being one step ahead of the play, often finding
    one-touch passes or moving to the open ice before it’s even considered
    to be open ice. Another attribute of his I love is his faceoff
    prowess. He has such a strong stick and stance to outmuscle opponents
    in the circle, which is something he could easily translate to a pro
    level.

    Where Command may fall flat for me is in the details of his game. He
    doesn’t have the best stick handling, especially one-on-one or in
    transition. He has a big frame for someone of his size, but he doesn’t
    utilize it to its fullest potential. He has a very fluid stride, but
    struggles to reach a very high top speed with it. If he could iron out
    the details in his game, he could become an excellent mid-first-round
    steal.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Chase Reid (RD)

    Chase Reid:
    Projection: Top 4 Defenceman
    Strengths: Offensive instincts, Vision and playmaking, Release and
    shot placement, Skating
    Weaknesses: Defensive aspects of the game, Positioning/Decision making

    Analysis:
    Chase Reid is an offensively gifted defenceman. He is never afraid to
    jump up on the play and use his strong skating to help generate an
    odd-man rush. He also uses his speed to blow by defenders along the
    boards and threaten to drive the net if given the opportunity. Once he
    is given the puck in the offensive zone, he tends to use his skating
    and mobility to create seams and gaps within the defenders so that he
    can use his great vision and passing abilities to find the wide-open
    player. If the defenders don’t offer up an opportunity for a pass, he
    isn’t afraid to shoot the puck through screens with his lethal and
    precise release.

    Reid struggles when it comes to the defensive aspects of the game. He
    often gets caught up ice when he decides to jump up on the rush at a
    bad time, which typically ends up in a scoring opportunity against.
    Within his own zone, he’s not afraid to use his body to get the puck
    back. He isn’t always in the proper position to retrieve the puck once
    he knocks his player off it, but at least he disrupts his opponent.
    Additionally, I would be slightly worried about his work ethic, as
    when I watch him, he isn’t always giving it one hundred percent.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Alberts Smits (LD)

    Projection: Top 4 Defenceman
    Strengths: Strong puck protection skills, Linear skating speed,
    Defensive Reliability
    Weaknesses: Very basic/telegraphed when it comes to his decision
    making, inability to make creative passes, lack of a dangerous shot

    Analysis:
    Alberts Smits is hands down the best defensive defenceman in this
    class. He makes use of his filled-out frame to gain position of
    players in his own zone, which helps him break up the cycle and knock
    players off the puck. He often uses his size on the rush to force his
    way down the wall and deep into the offensive zone, protecting the
    puck and waiting for an opportunity to make a play. Additionally, he
    has an excellent ability to use his stick to knock the puck loose when
    challenged one-on-one on the zone entry while maintaining his body
    positioning by locking onto the opponent’s chest. He also has some of
    the fastest north-to-south skating I’ve seen from a player his age,
    and he uses it to its full potential. He can chase a dump in either
    offensively or defensively to beat the opponent to the puck to make a
    play.

    Where Alberts falls short is his offensive instincts and creativity.
    The plays he tries to make are very telegraphed, allowing his
    opponents to read his play and attempt to break up the play.
    Additionally, he is not a power play threat, as he lacks the ability
    to make creative passes through seams and a powerful seeing eye shot
    that doesn’t threaten going straight to the back of the net, but
    rather threatens making it to the net for a tip/rebound. If he learns
    to get more creative and make more unique plays and passes, he’ll
    become a very strong two-way defender.

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Tynan Lawrence (C)

    Tynan Lawrence is a tremendously smooth, finesse-driven skater whose pace and nonstop
    motor make him a constant factor in all three zones, projecting clearly as a top-line center in
    this draft class. He forechecks and backchecks with purpose, generating a high volume of
    touches in the offensive zone through his ability to stay in motion and attack both the
    perimeter and interior, consistently working into the slot. His offensive game is driven by skill
    and poise, he’s a slick puck-handler who can separate the puck from pressure, manipulate
    defenders, and create his own chances before finding teammates off the advantage, though
    he leans more toward self-generated offense. Around the net, he’s a finesse finisher who
    beats goalies with patience and touch rather than power, and while his shot is effective,
    adding more strength and explosiveness to his wrist shot and one-timer would elevate his
    ceiling further. He competes well in puck battles, doesn’t rely solely on his skating, and
    shows strong positional awareness, making him a player who can be trusted in all areas of
    the ice. He reminds me a lot of Oliver Moore in his draft year but with more offensive upside,
    and in my opinion, profiles as a definite top-6 player and one of the top centers available in
    this class.

  • Evaluating the Crease: 2026 NHL Draft Goaltender Spotlight

    After completing at least three viewings on each goalie listed below in the latter part of their respective
    seasons, I wanted to put together a more complete spotlight on some of the most intriguing draft-eligible
    goaltenders in this class. The goal here wasn’t only to evaluate results or statistics, but rather to identify
    projectable technical habits, physical tools, decision-making, and long-term upside through multiple live
    viewings and game situations.
    The following reports focus on the elements that stood out the most in recent viewings and how each
    goalie currently projects heading into the NHL Draft.

    Carter Casey, Medicine Hat Tigers
    Carter Casey is probably one of the most electrifying goalies in this class and, in my opinion, the best
    mover of the bunch. He’s constantly active in his crease and stands out with his quickness, speed, and
    mobility. His athleticism allows him to contort his body and extend his legs to put himself in excellent
    position to make all kinds of saves without compromising his recoveries or overall structure.
    In my most recent viewings, I particularly liked the way he tracked pucks on long-range shots through
    traffic. He followed the puck extremely well even when it changed direction and reacted on time to place
    his body in front of tipped shots. That greatly helped limit dangerous rebounds and second chances.
    Casey also displayed excellent anticipatory habits on cross-crease plays, reading passes and identifying
    the shooter rather than simply following the puck.
    High-shot tracking remains something to monitor. On a few occasions, some pucks didn’t appear to be
    tracked cleanly and his body reacted with a recoil-like motion, with his head retracting into his shoulders.
    Casey also tends to drop to his knees too quickly instead of holding his edges longer, which can leave
    him vulnerable to passing plays and secondary chances.
    Overall, Casey projects very well thanks to his speed, athleticism, and the control element he’s
    progressively adding to his game. He should hear his name called somewhere around the third round of
    the draft.

    William Lacelle, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
    William Lacelle is another highly skilled goalie who may lack a bit of size by NHL standards. His biggest
    strength is undoubtedly the precision and speed of his movements, but digging deeper, his puck tracking
    is not far from elite.
    He reads releases extremely well and consistently keeps sight of the puck in nearly every situation. I also
    really liked his play reading. He has a strong feel for how sequences develop in the defensive zone and
    adjusts his game accordingly. The fact that he’s both quick and intelligent allows him to play aggressively
    while maintaining excellent angle coverage and strong recoveries on lateral plays and second chances.

    That said, his speed and aggressive movement habits can sometimes work against him. There are
    sequences where he overmoves and ends up needing extra effort to recover positioning.
    Some teams may hesitate because of his lack of size, but he compensates with elite traits that, in my
    opinion, should guarantee him a selection in the third round or, at worst, the fourth.

    Harrison Boettiger, Kelowna Rockets
    When watching Harrison Boettiger play, the first word that comes to mind is smooth. Everything about his
    game looks fluid, from the way he moves to the way he controls pucks. He’s particularly effective in the
    butterfly, sealing the ice extremely well with a wide flare and powerful drops.
    His butterfly slides are elite, efficient, and look effortless. That makes him very difficult to beat on low
    shots and highly effective on recoveries. I also like his puck tracking. While it may not be elite, it’s clearly
    above average, especially in how quickly he reads releases.
    However, it hasn’t always been his most consistent trait. I noticed some sequences where he briefly lost
    focus, which led to softer goals on clean long-range shots.
    Boettiger will also need to improve his play recognition and anticipation. Too often, he relies on his
    athleticism and excellent slides to cover space instead of anticipating plays before they fully develop.
    He’s a goalie with a lot of tools that I really like, but I don’t currently see enough to place him ahead of the
    goalies I value in the first three rounds of the draft.

    Vladimir Proskurin, Atlant Mytishchi
    Vladimir Proskurin is one of the goalies who has made the biggest jump in my rankings throughout the
    season. Once viewed as a speedy goalie with some erratic tendencies, he has made tremendous
    progress controlling his movements and staying precise without sacrificing his elite traits.
    And the list of elite tools is long: quick feet, crisp edges, high-end athleticism. He also plays with an
    aggressive but controlled approach that makes him look much bigger than he actually is. That says a lot
    about how efficiently he covers angles.
    His puck tracking was also very good and he used active hands to catch and control pucks, limiting
    dangerous rebounds.
    The main thing I’d still like to see more of is his awareness of backside threats and peripheral options. He
    often reacts after the pass and relies heavily on athleticism to cover the distance.
    I really like both the upside and progression curve with Proskurin. He checks a lot of boxes for what
    modern NHL teams look for in a goalie and he should be one of the first goalies selected in the next NHL
    Draft.

    Dmitri Ivchenko, Omskie Yastreby
    I’ve said it multiple times already, but Ivchenko is probably one of my favorite goalies in this class and
    certainly one of the most projectable long-term. The level of competition he faced was questioned
    throughout the year, but it’s impossible to ignore the tools and projectable traits he displayed all season.
    His overall game is extremely clean, but what stood out most was his ability to slow plays down and make
    everything look easy. That translated into elite puck tracking. His eyes stayed locked on the puck from the
    shooter all the way into his body. Whenever he gave up a rebound, his eyes stayed with the puck, making
    his recoveries quick and controlled.
    Throughout all my recent viewings, he remained extremely well positioned thanks to strong anticipation
    and highly efficient crease routes.
    There honestly weren’t many weaknesses that stood out in his game. However, on some occasions, he
    stayed locked into the overlap position for too long, which made him vulnerable against sharp-angle
    shooters and passing plays. Also, while his blocker stayed projected on slides and he caught nearly
    everything to the glove side, his hands could still become more active while moving to further improve
    angle coverage.
    Bottom line, Ivchenko will be near the very top of my goalie rankings and I fully believe he’s worthy of a
    third-round selection.

    Michal Orsulak, Prince Albert Raiders
    Michal Orsulak’s stock is clearly trending upward right now, especially with Prince Albert playing in the
    WHL Final and after helping Czechia reach the final of the most recent World Junior Championship.
    Orsulak is a re-entry candidate after going undrafted last year before making the move to North America
    this season. At first glance, he has all the tools to be viewed as one of the top goalie prospects available.
    He’s big and possesses excellent mobility, especially through his lower body. That allows him to cover the
    ice very effectively. His legs stay active while in the butterfly, making him highly efficient on his knees.
    In my recent viewings, he was extremely difficult to beat on low shots. He also uses his large frame very
    well to stay square and take away a significant portion of the net. Despite his size, Orsulak moves fairly
    well overall.
    That said, I have major questions regarding his top-end lateral speed. On many occasions, he anticipated
    plays well and quickly identified the new shooter on passing sequences, but he lacked the pure speed
    needed to fully cover the distance and get set in position to make the save. That issue led to goals
    against, especially on plays coming from the corners or from behind the net. After multiple viewings, it
    looked more like a recurring trend than isolated mistakes.
    Also, while he read releases quickly, he didn’t always seem to fully track the puck into his body, which led
    to several uncontrolled rebounds into dangerous areas.
    For those reasons, I can’t fully buy into the trend of placing him near the top of my rankings. The lack of
    elite lateral speed and the concerns surrounding his puck tracking force me to rank him behind more
    complete prospects in those areas. Still, Orsulak remains a legitimate middle-round candidate in this
    draft.

  • Prospect Don Post Lottery Top 16 Mock Draft

    1. Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna

    McKenna is one of the best playmakers to enter the draft in years and continues to solidify himself as the premier talent in this class. His offensive IQ is ridiculous and his ability to manipulate defenders feels very similar stylistically to Nikita Kucherov.

    I asked Gavin who he modeled his game after, Gavin said Nikita Kucherov and here is why:

    “We both see the ice pretty similarly, we have the ability to slow the game down and speed it up.”

    What makes him even more dangerous is how complete his game has become. His stick detail defensively is underrated and his “B game” has improved dramatically over the last year.

    Toronto would immediately gain another superstar level offensive creator. Auston Matthews gives Toronto elite scoring. Gavin McKenna gives them an offensive engine.

    2. San Jose Sharks — Ivar Stenberg

    People are going to debate defense here, but San Jose should simply take the elite winger.

    Stenberg projects as a dynamic top six forward with incredible puck skill and creativity. The Sharks already possess additional assets and flexibility to address defense later. They own the Oilers pick 20th overall and could target Ryan Lin, Juho Piiparenen or LHD Malte Gustafsson.

    The Sharks don’t need to add another elite offensive talent, but you take best player available and figure it out later.

    3. Vancouver Canucks — Caleb Malhotra

    This feels like a perfect fit.

    The Manny Malhotra connection matters, but beyond that, Caleb Malhotra simply plays the style Vancouver covets. He projects as a complete two way center with top six upside and one of the safest floors in the class.

    He competes relentlessly, impacts every shift and continues to improve offensively. He has a great motor paired with the hands, pro level shot, passing ability, vision and high hockey IQ.

    Caleb Malhotra told me that he models his game after Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron. He also worked on his shot to take it to the next level.

    4. Chicago Blackhawks — Chase Reid

    Chicago could move this pick, but if they stay put, Chase Reid makes a ton of sense.

    He’s an offensive defenseman with top pairing upside, power play potential and much better defensive detail than people realize. Reid has size, mobility and offensive instincts that NHL teams covet.

    The Blackhawks continue adding skill to their blue line.

    Chase Reid models his game after Zach Werenski here is why:

    “Very good on the blueline, very good defensively, good stick. Move very good on the offensive blueline and shuts players down and transitions fast.”

    Chase Reid on an underrated aspect of his game:

    “The defensive side of my game. I think its come a long way.”

    5. New York Rangers — Keaton Verhoeff

    Verhoeff is 6’4” with offensive upside and good physical tools. His NCAA transition exposed some decision making inconsistencies, but he’s still incredibly young and teams will bet on the upside.

    The Rangers add another high ceiling defenseman to their system which will be a necessity if and when they move on from Adam Fox. They could restock their organization in a massive way if they decided their rebuild would be a little longer than expected.

    Keaton Verhoeff models his game after:

    “Drew Doughty…Thomas Harley. Big Canadian defenseman. Two way player, reliable in the d zone. Can create offense. Coaches obviously trust him in all situations.”

    Keaton Verhoeff on an underrated aspect of his game that goes overlooked:

    “My skating… A spot a lot of people criticize on me… My ability to have that smooth skating up and down the ice, being able to retrieve pucks and kind of transition plays quickly.”

    6. Calgary Flames — Carson Carels

    Carels feels like a player Calgary would absolutely love.

    He’s smooth, intelligent and projects as a modern transition defenseman. Calgary continues building around high end young talent and Carels would fit perfectly into that long term core.

    Carson Carels models his game after Jake Sanderson & Miro Heiskanen because “they are great skaters and two way players.”

    Carels is a 6’2 two way defenseman with strong mobility & sound overall game. He is a great skater, efficient and able to recover quickly. He has the ability to be a minutes muncher in the NHL for a long time.

    7. Seattle Kraken — Alberts Smits

    Seattle hasn’t prioritized defense enough in recent years and this is where the defensive run really starts. Albert Smits has been playing pro in Finland and Germany this year and looked good at the World Junior Championship and Olympics for Latvia.

    Smits continues climbing boards and NHL teams love his long term projection. The Kraken add another foundational piece on the backend. Great physicality, athletic, heavy shot, good passer and has a lot of NHL ready traits.

    Alberts Smits said he doesn’t model his game after anyone. Love the kind of personality he has.

    8. Winnipeg Jets — Tynan Lawrence

    Winnipeg Jets can go in a multitude of different directions here. In this Mock Draft they bring in Tynan Lawrence who brings potential top six center upside with strong defensive detail and positional intelligence. Winnipeg values complete players and Lawrence fits that mold extremely well.

    On my interview with Tynan Lawrence alongside my guest star co host Nathan Grav, Tynan said he could be a:

    “Very reliable center on both ends of the ice, not a guy who is all just there for points, that’s one of the main reasons I have had success in the past is because I don’t cheat and take pride in the little details.”

    Both Tynan and his head coach Colten St. Claire at Muskegon when Tynan played there said that Tynan plays like Macklin Celebrini and can shutdown top opposing forwards.

    9. Florida Panthers — Viggo Björck

    Florida doesn’t need to force organizational fit here. They can simply swing for upside.

    Björck arguably possesses the highest offensive ceiling at this spot and Florida is talented enough organizationally to take that type of gamble.

    Viggo Bjorck modeled his game after Sidney Crosby. I talked to his Sweden teammate Victor Eklund and he said Viggo is like a Celebrini out there. Victor Eklund later mentioned:

    “I feel safe when he is out there. So strong and tough.”

    Viggo Bjorck is 5’9” but he is tough to push off pucks and is not afraid to get into the dirty areas. He also has an incredible high hockey IQ, a great shot, natural playmaker, elite vision and is good defensively.

    10. Nashville Predators — Ethan Belchetz

    Nashville continues prioritizing heavier, harder to play against hockey.

    Belchetz is 6’5”, physical and creates chaos offensively. He brings a playoff style identity while still maintaining offensive upside. Good playmaker that will elevate his linemates and work in the dirty areas.

    He modeled his game after the Tkachuk brothers and Jamie Benn. Steven Ellis said Belchetz creates “havoc in front of the net.”

    11. St. Louis Blues — Daxon Rudolph

    6’2” Daxon Rudolph is one of the more exciting offensive right handed defensemen in the class.

    He sees the ice exceptionally well, processes quickly and consistently creates offense from the backend. St. Louis adds another puck moving defenseman with top four upside.

    Daxon Rudolph models his game after Drew Doughty and wants to be a two way defenseman. He doesn’t cheat the game, does not do anything that will harm his team. Smart player with good discipline and the skill to be a great defenseman for a long time.

    The question on his draft slot is whether he will become a top pair defenseman if he reaches his full potential or a top four defenseman with upside. Either way, great underrated RHD in this class.

    12. New Jersey Devils — Oscar Hemming

    The Devils continue looking for size up front and Hemming gives them exactly that.

    He projects as a bigger forward with scoring touch and fits well within New Jersey’s long term offensive structure.

    Oscar Hemming was the youngest player in the NCAA this year and has underrated creativity when he has the puck on his stick. This is a player that has the 6’4” size, creates chaos in front of the net and will compete hard.

    13. New York Islanders — Ryan Lin

    Ryan Lin would fit beautifully beside the defensive core the Islanders are building.

    A right shot defenseman with offensive instincts and mobility, Lin gives New York another high end backend piece.

    Ryan Lin’s knock is that he is sub 6 foot, but he is built especially in his quads and lower half. He is a good skater, has great balance and is tough to get pushed off by bigger players.

    His skill set is so enticing because he is a great playmaker, has offensive ability and the playmaking to run a power play unit.

    14. Columbus Blue Jackets — Wyatt Cullen

    Columbus continues betting on upside.

    Wyatt Cullen has continued climbing and feels like exactly the type of projection swing the Blue Jackets would take. Their drafting philosophy has consistently leaned aggressive in recent years.

    The 6’2” versatile forward is still growing and his game exploded at the right time. He has a ton of upside, and if he develops correctly he can be a top 10 pick in a redraft in a few years.

    15. St. Louis Blues — Maddox Dagenais

    If St. Louis walked away with Daxon Rudolph and Maddox Dagenais, they would be thrilled.

    Dagenais plays a heavy game and throws some of the best reverse hits in the class. He fits the Blues identity perfectly.

    Maddox Dagenais is a big forward who competes well and is extremely hard to push off pucks because he will reverse hit anyone. He has the offensive skillset and the all around game to be a really good player in the NHL.

    His father Pierre Dagenais played 142 games in the NHL with the Canadiens, Devils and Panthers.

    16. Washington Capitals — Nikita Klepov

    Washington has never been afraid to draft Russian players and they continue prioritizing offensive upside.

    The Capitals have quietly drafted extremely well recently and Klepov would give them another high skill offensive piece to build around long term.

    Nikita Klepov played defense growing up but his offensive skillset is his best asset. He has become an offensive dynamo and once he is on, he is hard to stop.

    He grew up watching Nikita Kucherov.

  • IIHF U18 World Championships Goaltending Game Reports

    Anton Wilde
    2026/04/24 vs USA (0–2)
    Wilde delivered an outstanding performance, stopping 54 shots and giving Denmark a chance
    to compete until the final whistle. What stood out most was his game management. He
    remained calm and composed against a high-powered USA offense that generated sustained
    pressure throughout the game. Coming off a strong first start against Germany, his confidence
    was evident. He kept his game simple and controlled, relying on excellent patience on his edges
    and sound positioning. He consistently arrived set and square to shooters, making it difficult for
    the USA to catch him off guard. His rebound control was also a key factor, slowing the pace in
    the defensive zone and allowing his defenders to reset. Performances like this against top-tier
    competition will draw attention from NHL scouts. At this point, a draft selection in June is firmly
    in play.

    Brady Knowling
    2026/04/22 vs Czechia (2–3 OT)
    Knowling remains a difficult evaluation. From a mechanics and fundamentals standpoint, he
    looks like a high-end prospect. His mobility is strong and his post integrations are well
    executed.However, a deeper look reveals technical inconsistencies that were evident in this
    game. His hands lack activity, particularly his glove hand, which is often positioned downward
    rather than presented to the puck. On recoveries, excessive movement put him out of position,
    directly contributing to goals against.In one sequence, he completely lost track of the play and
    turned away from the puck, which is concerning. While his foundation suggests he will still be
    drafted relatively high, these flaws could cause him to slide compared to initial expectations.

    Marek Sklenička
    2026/04/22 vs USA (3–2 OT)
    A solid and composed performance from Sklenička against the USA. He started the game
    confidently, making several strong glove saves early on. He combines size with athletic upside
    and moves efficiently. He understands how to position his body effectively, allowing him to make
    saves without overcomplicating situations. There were a couple of lapses in focus on the goals
    against, but he responded well and remained steady for the rest of the game. Sklenička is
    trending in the right direction and projects comfortably as a mid-round selection, likely in the
    third or fourth round.

    Patriks Plūmiņš
    2026/04/26 vs Norway (8–1)

    A quiet game in terms of shot quality, but Plūmiņš still stopped 24 shots. This performance
    highlighted both his upside and his rawness.He is highly athletic, particularly in his lower body.
    His flexibility allows him to widen his stance and seal the ice effectively, and he can generate
    strong power to cover larger distances.His upper body remains more rigid, especially his hands,
    which contribute to an overly compact stance at times. However, in the butterfly, he maximizes
    his size effectively, especially when sealing the post in RVH.Edge control and movement
    efficiency need refinement. Overmovement was noticeable at times and could become an issue
    at higher levels. Overall, he profiles as an intriguing development pick with significant upside.

    Patriks Plūmiņš
    2026/04/24 vs Finland (0–2)
    Another strong showing from Plūmiņš, stopping 32 of 34 shots. His athletic base was again
    evident, allowing him to cover large areas of the net, particularly when sealing the post or
    extending in the butterfly.His puck tracking was generally solid, with only minor rebound control
    issues. However, his skating and edge work still need improvement. He can appear stuck on his
    edges, which limits his lateral mobility and delays reactions on cross-crease
    plays.Performances like this against stronger competition will positively impact his draft stock.

    Patriks Plūmiņš
    2026/04/29 vs USA (5–2)
    Plūmiņš was the standout performer of the tournament for Latvia, with this quarterfinal win over
    the USA being the highlight. He stopped 48 shots in a high-pressure game where the USA
    consistently tried to disrupt him with traffic and physical play.He remained composed and
    confident throughout. His puck tracking was excellent, seeing pucks cleanly through traffic and
    reacting quickly to releases. His hands were decisive, either absorbing or directing pucks
    effectively, with very few dangerous rebounds. The main concern remains his structure on
    extended recoveries. In some sequences, he lost balance and ended up on his back or seated,
    which could limit his ability to handle second chances.If he was not firmly on draft boards before
    this tournament, he should be now. A mid-round selection appears very realistic.

    Martin Psohlavec
    2026/04/23 vs Sweden (2–1)
    A strong and composed performance from Psohlavec. His engagement level stood out
    immediately.
    He was active in his crease, challenging shooters with controlled aggressiveness and moving
    decisively. He also communicated well with his defenders, acting as an additional layer of

    awareness through frequent shoulder checks. His willingness to play the puck was also notable,
    helping breakouts and reducing forecheck pressure. Technically, his puck tracking was solid,
    and rebound control was effective. He stayed connected to plays and reacted quickly on
    recoveries. With his physical tools and mature approach, performances like this will keep him
    firmly in the draft conversation.

    Pyry Lammi
    2026/04/27 vs Canada (0–7)
    A very difficult game for Lammi against Canada. While his speed and athleticism were still
    present, he struggled in most other areas. He looked overwhelmed by sustained pressure,
    frequently losing sight of the puck and breaking down structurally on passing plays and
    rebounds. His puck tracking was inconsistent, and he was beaten cleanly on multiple shots. His
    play recognition and recoveries were also problematic. After goals, he appeared disoriented,
    suggesting difficulty processing the sequences. Given his smaller stature, these issues are
    magnified. This performance could negatively impact his draft projection.

    Pyry Lammi
    2026/04/24 vs Latvia (2–0)
    Despite the shutout, some concerns remained. Lammi plays a reactive style rather than an
    anticipatory one. He often reacted to plays without gathering information beforehand, leading to
    suboptimal positioning. On one short-side rush, he defaulted to RVH despite no passing threat,
    when an overlap would have provided better coverage. These details are critical, especially for
    a smaller goalie. While the result was positive, the underlying habits raise questions about his
    projection. He could fall outside the draft range.

    Luke Carrithers
    2026/04/27 vs Germany (11–1)
    Carrithers is a clean and efficient goalie with a solid foundation. He moves well, stays controlled,
    and positions himself effectively. His compact stance limits openings and helps him absorb
    pucks efficiently. He compensates for that compactness with strong depth management.
    However, puck tracking through screens remains an issue. On multiple occasions, he lost sight
    of the puck and struggled to recover, leading to goals. Overall, he does many things well but
    lacks a defining elite trait. He projects as a potential late-round pick or could go undrafted.

    Samuel Hrenák

    2026/04/27 vs Latvia (5–2)
    Hrenák continues to trend upward. He is a big-bodied goalie with strong lower-body power.
    Compared to earlier in the season, his movements were more controlled and purposeful. He
    used intelligent routes and showed improved patience on his edges, leading to better
    positioning. His post play was effective, sealing well in RVH while also using the post to
    generate power for pushes. His hands were solid when set, but became less controlled during
    lateral movement, particularly his glove hand. There is clear upside in his profile, and a mid-
    round selection appears likely.

    Gavin Betts
    2026/04/22 vs Slovakia (1–2)
    A solid performance despite the result. Betts’ biggest strength is his positioning and depth
    management. He adjusted well to play development and managed his aggressiveness
    appropriately. His stick work was effective in directing rebounds away from dangerous areas.
    However, his puck tracking and play reading need improvement. He often reacted late to
    releases and passes, forcing him into reactive sequences rather than controlled ones. His
    hands also lack activity and projection. While his foundation is solid, his upside appears limited
    without a defining elite trait.

    Gavin Betts
    2026/04/29 vs Sweden (2–4)
    Again, Betts’ structure and positioning were strong. His movements were efficient and
    purposeful. His compact stance helped compensate for tracking issues, allowing him to make
    contact with pucks even when reacting late. However, he could have challenged shooters more
    in situations where passing options were limited. He also defaulted too quickly to RVH on short-
    side plays, exposing openings. His hands remained passive, particularly his glove, which limited
    his ability to control pucks cleanly. He projects as a lower-upside prospect with a solid floor but
    a long path to becoming draftable.

    Martin Psohlavec
    2026/04/29 vs Finland (2–1)
    Another strong showing from Psohlavec. He displayed improved quickness and athleticism,
    suggesting that previous concerns about speed may be less significant. His hands were active
    and well positioned, helping him maximize his save radius. His post integration was effective,
    mixing RVH and overlap appropriately. He also showed strong anticipatory habits, reading
    passes and arriving set on time. One area for improvement is his cross-crease slide trajectory.

    At times, his path was too linear, opening holes that better shooters could exploit. With
    refinement, he could develop into a strong prospect. At this stage, he remains a solid late-round
    option.

    Marek Sklenička
    2026/04/25 vs Germany (2–3 OT)
    Sklenička’s size and athleticism remain appealing, but this was not his strongest performance.
    His post integration was solid, but puck tracking issues were evident. He reacted late to shots
    and struggled to locate rebounds, especially through traffic. This led to inconsistent rebound
    control, with pucks often bouncing off him rather than being absorbed. Despite this, his overall
    body of work still supports a mid-round projection based on his physical tools.

    Brady Knowling
    2026/04/28 vs Latvia (2–5)
    An inconsistent performance from Knowling. He started strong, with efficient movements and
    good puck tracking, limiting rebounds. However, his game deteriorated as pressure increased.
    Tracking became inconsistent and his angling suffered, leading to the game-winning goal.He
    was also exposed on plays from behind the goal line, where he tracked the pass visually but
    failed to move his body accordingly, reacting late to the shot. While his tools and
    competitiveness remain appealing, these inconsistencies make it difficult to justify selecting him
    before the third round.

    Patriks Plūmiņš
    2026/05/01 vs Czechia (1–4)
    Plūmiņš was less tested in this game but still made key saves to keep Latvia competitive. His
    puck tracking on perimeter shots was excellent, even through traffic. He controlled rebounds
    well and reacted effectively on deflections. On larger recoveries, his athleticism allowed him to
    stay in plays. However, his routes on plays from the corner were not always optimal, limiting his
    angle coverage. A more aggressive path could have improved his chances on certain goals.
    Still, another strong performance reinforcing his draft value.

    Martin Psohlavec
    2026/05/01 vs Sweden (3–4 OT)

    Psohlavec continued his strong tournament with another impressive performance. His
    positioning was a key strength. He followed his arc well, staying controlled while maintaining
    appropriate aggressiveness. His anticipation allowed him to beat passes and arrive set without
    oversliding. He also showed strong athleticism for his size, making difficult saves during
    recoveries. However, he struggled on some clean perimeter shots, reacting slightly late. This
    affected his puck tracking and resulted in goals he would likely want back. Additionally, his
    tendency to lose structure during extended recoveries remains a concern. Overall, Psohlavec
    significantly raised his stock during this tournament and made a strong case to be drafted.