DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Blog

  • Rookie vs The System – How Luke Richardon Failed Kevin Korchinski

    Many Blackhawks fans still remember the infamous “Kevin Korchinski Practice” on
    March 20 th , 2024 when coach Luke Richardson decided to “teach” a 19-year-old Kevin
    how to be stronger and box out NHL superstars, often 10 years older than him and
    almost always much heavier than him.


    It was a strange practice that had Kevin participating in one-on-one puck battles in front
    of the goal against the likes of Nick Foligno.


    “Korch definitely has got to get bigger and stronger at the net, boxing out, and that was
    seen on a couple of the goals,” Richardson said after arguably Korchinski’s worst game
    of the season against the LA Kings the night before where he recorded an assist but
    was a -4 and directly responsible for at least a couple of goals.


    Was this the right approach to take with the undersized rookie, playing in his first NHL
    season on a really bad team or did Luke Richardson fail to develop a system of play
    that prioritized his players’ attributes and compensated for their weaknesses?


    Luke Richardson came into the Blackhawks organization as a respected assistant
    coach that prioritized a conservative defensive approach that minimized the defenders’
    involvement in offensive play and made sure the box near the goalie was protected at
    all costs. This system was designed for big and strong defenders to limit high danger
    chances in front of the net and challenging the opposing teams to beat the goalie with
    long range shots. Meanwhile, the three forwards were tasked with generating all the
    offense with limited involvement from defenders that were expected to sit on the blue
    line.


    It was a system in which big and strong shut-down defenders like Alex Vlasic and
    Connor Murphy thrived in, while offensively minded puck movers like Seth Jones and
    Kevin Korchinski struggled in. Many fans lamented Seth Jones play in front of his net as
    he often got beaten while skating backwards in order to get in position to protect his net.
    It was even worse for a rookie defender like Korchinski.


    Furthermore, it also forced Connor Bedard to generate offense by himself with his line,
    often without help from defenders, while being pushed off the puck and even hit as he
    was often crowded and double-teamed, which in part led to his injury that kept him
    sidelined for 14 games. Additionally, it most likely led Bedard to put on too much muscle
    during the Summer of 2024 which in turn slowed him down as he lost his jump and
    explosiveness. Something he worked on to remedy last Summer.

    As such, under Luke Richardson’s system the Blackhawks became a somewhat solid
    defensive team, but one-dimensional in the offensive zone and unable to score goals.
    The team often gave up few but simply could not put the puck in the back of the net.
    Worst of all, it looked like Luke Richardson’s system was not designed to take
    advantage of the attributes of players like Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski but
    rather favored the older guard that was tasked with teaching the young core how to get
    stronger and get tougher.


    Unfortunately, Kevin Korchinski was the biggest casualty of Luke Richardson’s stubborn
    approach where he was unable or unwilling to adapt his team to the way his young
    players needed to play to develop.


    Many point to the fact that while Kevin Korchinski must indeed get bigger and stronger
    eventually to compete with the Blackhawks in the playoffs, he was not the first or the
    last undersized defender to enter the NHL.


    One can look to Montreal to see how Lane Hutson, an even smaller player than
    Korchinski, was put in a situation to become an asset to his team and became an
    eventual Calder Trophy winner. While Hutson struggled defensively against big forwards
    just like Korchinski, coach Martin St Louis did not try to force him to box out large
    players in his own zone but instead got him more involved in the offensive zone, to a
    point where Hutson ended the year with 6 goals and 60 assists.


    While Hutson was no doubt a beneficiary of playing on a more talented team than the
    2023-24 Chicago Blackhawks, his coach put him into a system that magnified his
    strengths instead of trying to mold him into a player that he was not.


    Kevin Korchinski made the 2023-24 Chicago Blackhawks roster partly because he was
    only 19 years old and the NHL rules prevented him from being sent to the AHL, but
    mostly for his elite skating ability to get out of his defensive zone and get involved in
    offense.


    Those traits were almost instantly buried as the season started as Kevin was asked not
    to skate out of his zone but quickly dump the puck out to his forwards. This caused a lot
    of turnovers as he was struggling to adjust to the speed of the game and to find open
    forwards to pass to, as opposing teams covered breakout passes. In the offensive zone,
    he was forced to stand by the blue line and not get too involved in the offense as
    Richardson’s system almost made the two defenders into cones that forwards only used
    to bounce puck off.

    While initially Kevin still found ways to use his elite skating to get into the neutral and
    offensive zones in dangerous ways, as the season dragged on and the Blackhawks
    struggled, his small size and inexperience were exposed against tougher teams.
    Meanwhile, Luke Richardson was so rigid in his ways, he did not change his system or
    make adjustments to empower his young players to thrive. Instead, tough and
    experienced veterans like Alec Martinez and T.J. Brodie were brough in over the
    Summer to fill in for Korchinski as he was sent down to the AHL for his second season
    in pro hockey.


    While Bedard struggled in the NHL with seemingly different linemates in each game,
    Korchinski began to slowly regain his confidence under Anders Sorensen who was also
    given Frank Nazar, who failed to make Luke Richardson’s team as well.
    Luke Richardson’s system, that did not benefit most of the young players, and his
    inability to change it eventually cost him his job while Chicago hired Jeff Blashill for the
    2025-26 campaign.


    So far, it seems Blashill designed his system with his players in mind. He knows he has
    a lot of young defenders on his roster, so he is playing with seven of them to limit their
    minutes and to play them situationally where they can use their strengths. They are also
    involved in offensive play, bringing pucks out instead of dumping them out, which is
    benefiting players like Sam Rinzel who are elite skaters. A system that will also benefit
    the likes of Kevin Korchinski.


    Blashill is also using other tricks to help his young players, like having all five players in
    the defensive zone build a box in the area that the puck is in. Such a strategy does not
    put pressure on young, undersized defenders to play man-on-man and to be physical,
    but rather to take away space to operate from the opposition.


    While Kevin Korchinski did not make Jeff Blashill’s team out of camp, mostly due to the
    fact that Sam Rinzel and Wyatt Kaiser had such good training camps, it seems like the
    new coach at least knows how Kevin can become an elite NHL defender.


    “Korch has to utilize his best assets. If part of that best asset is being offensive, you
    can’t lose that as you’re getting good defensively. But everybody has to be good
    defensively in order to play in this league. It’s almost impossible to outscore your
    mistakes. One thing is, when I talk to him about his strengths, he talks about his skating.
    I think he can use that skating offensively in a sense of beating people up the ice but he
    can also use his skating defensively to shut downplays and gap up. And if you do that,
    you spend more time in the ‘O’ zone.” Jeff Blashill said.

    It looks like Blashill sees Kevin for the player he is and gave him specific instructions on
    how to play to his strengths in Rockford. As of now, Korchinski seems to be taking his
    new coach’s advice, already excelling in Rockford with three assists in four games while
    being a +2 in his own zone.


    He will get tougher as he gets older, but Korchinski will never be a bulky shut-down
    defender that boxes out players in front of goal. He will use his skating and speed to get
    to pucks early and get out of trouble, while joining players like Connor Bedard and
    Frank Nazar in the offensive zone.

    Jeff Blashill sees that, and his system is designed to empower young players to thrive,
    while Luke Richardson’s never was.

  • Goalie Game Reports ~ WHL Edition

    Parker Snell
    2025/11/10 Moose Jaw 1 @ Edmonton 4 (WHL)

    Snell is a goaltender with a commanding presence in the crease. His posture and stance are
    sharp, and his hands stay active and well-positioned in front of him. He displays excellent hip
    mobility, showing strong edge work when setting for shots and a wide butterfly flare on his
    drops. In short, he covers the net like a 6’5” goalie, despite standing at 6’2”. That combination
    allowed him to track and block pucks effectively, even through traffic.While he didn’t display
    high-end speed or explosiveness, Snell moved fluidly, with smooth, effortless transitions. It
    wasn’t a game where he faced a heavy workload, particularly on rush chances. I counted only a
    few clean rushes where attackers entered the zone with speed to shoot from the perimeter. On
    those occasions, I noticed a slight tendency for him not to be completely square to the first
    shooter (F1); his chest positioning wasn’t perfectly aligned with the puck, which led to one goal
    and another close call.Even in a lighter game, Snell’s skill set was evident. The tools he
    possesses will serve him well in more demanding matchups, and it’s easy to understand why
    there’s growing buzz around his name ahead of the upcoming NHL Draft.


    Harrison Boettiger
    2025/10/10 Kelowna 1 @ Seattle 3 (WHL)

    Boettiger looked calm and composed in his first WHL start, even though his rebound control
    was inconsistent early on. He left a few pucks loose in front of him, but his powerful, quick
    movements consistently allowed him to recover and make relatively comfortable saves. After
    the initial shot or broken play, he reset efficiently, using strong, controlled slides to regain
    positioning with both speed and precision.What stood out was the element of control in his
    movements, something not always seen in goalies who rely a lot on athleticism and
    explosiveness. I particularly liked how he used the overlap technique on rushes when F1
    committed to the short side. Boettiger positioned himself to face the shooter while maintaining a
    slight tilt toward potential passing options (F2 or F3), allowing him to challenge aggressively yet
    remain prepared for lateral plays. That reads as a clear sign of a strong hockey IQ.Overall, I like
    what I saw. His blend of quickness, controlled movement, and situational awareness could
    make him a favorite among NHL scouts ahead of the 2026 Draft.

  • What Has Kyle Davidson & Co Built

    General Manager Review

    Analyzing Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson as Blackhawks General Manager

    In order to better understand hockey and the processes that NHL teams use to build their rosters into championship contenders I feel it’s important to analyze the men making these decisions. In this article we’re going to look at and analyze the first two draft classes as well as some free agent signings and trades of Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson.

    Before we jump into his moves and deals I feel that it’s important to give some context about the situation that Davidson inherited from his predecessor Stan Bowman who is now the GM of the Edmonton Oilers. Kyle Davison became interim Blackhawks GM on October 26th, 2021 before becoming the full time GM on March 1st, 2022. The Blackhawks to be frank were a disaster, the Kyle Beach scandal had rocked the organization, Jeremy Colition was still the head coach of the team until Davidson relieved him of his duties on November 26th, 2021 following a 1-9-2 start to the season, and the roster itself was an odd mix of veterans and young players along with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

    One thing that became very clear from the jump with Davidson is that he wanted to completely rebuild the organization from the ground up. Since 2016 the team had found itself stuck in this weird limbo state between rebuilding and still trying to compete with Kane and Toews. The team’s roster had some good young players most notably Brandon Hagel, Dylan Strome, Kirby Dach, and Alex Debrincat but they hadn’t reached their full potential yet with the Blackhawks. Brandon Hagel would be traded to Tampa Bay during the regular season, Alex Debrincat and Kirby Dach would be moved at the draft, and Dylan Strome left via free agency. Patrick Kane would be traded to the NY Rangers the following season and Toews would play his final game for the Blackhawks on April 13th, 2023 before taking his sabbatical from the NHL as a whole. The dynasty years of the 2010s were truly behind the team now and the rebuild was in full swing. 

    Now is a good time to talk about Davidson’s first two draft classes as they go hand in hand with one another and with the moves he made during his first two seasons in charge. The Blackhawks did not have their first round pick going into the 2022 NHL Draft as they had traded it in a deal for Seth Jones previously. Obviously this is a huge roadblock for any NHL team going into a rebuild but despite this Davidson would end up selecting three players in the first round that year. Alex Debrincat was traded to the Ottawa Senators for the 7th and 39th overall picks as well as Ottawa’s third round selection in 2024, with that 7th overall pick the Blackhawks selected Kevin Korchinski of the WHL, while Korchinski hasn’t exactly bursted onto the scene yet, he is still a very highly thought of player in the Blackhawks system and is expected to play a big role for the team in the years to come.

    His next move was trading Kirby Dach to the Montreal Canadians for the 13th overall and 66th overall picks. This move may be the best move Kyle Davidson has pulled off during his tenure as Blackhawks GM, Kirby Dach has struggled with injuries his whole career and that has continued in Montreal, meanwhile Frank Nazar who was taken with the 13th overall pick has excelled in his short pro career so far. Frank Nazar recently signed a 7 year $46 million deal to be a Blackhawk long term and it’s fair to say the Blackhawks won this trade in a landslide. His final major draft pick of the 2022 class was selecting Sam Rinzel 25th overall after a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. This pick did confuse people at the time but in hindsight it is looking like the Blackhawks may have gotten the steal of the draft. Despite only being 21 years old and 16 games into his NHL career Rinzel is already playing top pair minutes and is excelling in the role. He looks poised to be a key contributor on a championship level team in the future.

    The 2023 Blackhawks draft class landed the team something that every rebuilding team yearns for and craves, a franchise level talent. The Blackhawks with a bit of help from the lottery gods were able to select Connor Bedard from the Regina Pats of the WHL. To say that Bedard was the most hyped up 1st overall pick since Connor McDavid would almost be understating it, he put up insane numbers in the WHL and lit up the World Junior Championships in his draft year. After a phenomenal rookie season which saw him win the Calder trophy on a bad Blackhawks team, he faced a lot of criticism and adversity during his second season in the NHL but so far into his third season he has responded very well and has played great to start the season. Growing as a leader on and off the ice, I would not be surprised if he is given the captaincy next season.

    Oliver Moore was also taken 19th overall during this draft and after a strong showing in the NCAA for two seasons, where he was roommates with Sam Rinzel, he signed his pro contract towards the end of the 2024-2025 season. Moore had a strong showing at the end of last season for the Blackhawks as well as a strong training camp for the Blackhawks but he was still sent down to Rockford to begin the 2025-2026 season, however with how well he has started the season for Rockford it’s very likely that a callup will happen sooner rather than later, more importantly for Moore it’s about capitalizing when he gets his callup and making sure that he sticks around afterwards.

    While these 5 players are the major picks from Davidson’s first two draft classes there are other players that I feel deserve a mention. From the 2022 class Ryan Greene and Samuel Savoie, and from the 2023 class Roman Kantserov and Nick Lardis. Ryan Greene signed his ELC at the end of the 2024-2025 season and has made the most of his opportunities earning a roster spot out of training camp to start 2025-2026 season and has played well to start the season so far in a bottom 6 role, Samuel Savoie has become a favorite among Rockford fans and is a guy that I can see becoming an Andrew Shaw type of player. Roman Kantserov and Nick Lardis have both become prized prospects in the eyes of both Blackhawks fans and the organization. Lardis lit up the OHL last season scoring 71 goals and having 117 points, he has started this season with 2 goals and 8 points through 5 games in the AHL so far this season. While his overall game definitely needs some work he has shown clear scorers instincts and seems like a viable top 6 option in the future.

    Roman Kantserov also seems like a viable top 6 option, he’s been point per game so far this season for Magnitogorsk in the KHL and it seems very likely that he’ll be signing with the Blackhawks as soon as Magnitogorsk wraps up their season.

    In summary I think Davidson’s first two years on the job are the textbook way that a major rebuild should be done. He took a franchise that was in disarray and built a strong foundation for the future.

  • Re-Signing Connor Bedard in the Wild West Salary Cap Era

    As Charles Dickens once wrote “It was the best of contracts, it was the worst of
    contracts, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of
    belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of
    darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
    Nobody expected that Charles Dickens will accurately predicted the 2025 NHL
    salary market. All jokes aside, on August 21 st , 2025 Frank Nazar signed a seven-year,
    $46.13 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks at a $6,599,991 AAV. While the
    contract didn’t have the same shock as Kaprizov’s $17 million monstrosity or McDavid’s
    ridiculous $12.5 million “Win-Now-Or-Else” deal with the Oilers, it still sent ripples
    through the NHL.


    The Blackhawks fans almost immediately started celebrations on social media,
    both because of the length of the deal but also because it looked like a steal for a player
    of Frank’s caliber.


    Meanwhile, fans of other teams said “who?” some half-jokingly but others really
    not knowing who Frank was, while pundits across the league questioned Kyle
    Davidson’s decision to give out nearly $50 million for a player that didn’t make the team
    last year, had to go to the AHL and as of contract signing this Summer only played 56
    games in the NHL, wile registering 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 total points.
    However, as often is the case, the stats don’t tell the whole picture and those
    who watched Frank play last Spring saw a confident player that grew well into his NHL
    responsibilities and helped Connor Bedard shoulder the team’s offensive load down the
    stretch posting eight points in the final seven games of the season, then went on to lead
    team USA to a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship with a team-leading
    six goals and six assists in 10 games.


    Frank’s contract perfectly encapsulates the confusion, questions and
    celebrations that are now commonplace during the new wild west era of re-signing
    players when the NHL’s salary cap is moving up quickly after years of stagnation and a
    Covid-induced freeze.


    These feelings are exacerbated when teams sign unproven elite prospects out of
    their entry level contracts in the hope they will one day become the next superstars of
    the league. Logan Stankoven, Luke Hughes and Lane Hutson, just to name a few, were
    among contracts that were signed and followed by mixed emotions throughout the
    league about how underpaid or overpaid the players will now become. As GMs fear a

    rapid salary appreciation, they are signing players to large deals in the hope that
    eventually they will look like bargains.
    Which finally leads us to re-signing Connar Bedard. Over the Summer, a
    common consensus was that Connor will sign for somewhere around $10.5 AAV when
    factoring in percent-of-cap calculations and compared to similar forwards that signed in
    the past such as Jack Hughes.


    Then several things happened.


    Connor Bedard decided to bet on himself this year and earn a big contract after a
    re-worked Summer training routine that returned him to a player resembling his rookie
    self, when he was fast and explosive. Not an uncommon plan for elite prospects, if not
    for the fact that Frank Nazar decided to take the opposite route and sign for $6.59
    million AAV this Summer while at the same time starting to look like a more complete
    player than Connor Bedard himself, which would have been unthinkable just 12 months
    ago when he didn’t make the opening night roster.


    Nazar had an extremely impressive pre-season, netting four goals and adding an
    assist for a total of five points, while Connor Bedard ended the exhibition calendar with
    one goal and an assist for two points. As of this writing, through four regular season
    games, Frank Nazar is the team’s leading scorer with five points, while Bedard sits with
    three. Frank’s defensive game is also slightly more advanced than Bedard’s and he
    often plays on the penalty kill.

    Therefore, while Connor Bedard will still most likely end up being the team’s
    highest paid player when he eventually signs with the team, him being the first overall
    pick, the face of the franchise and still arguably with one of the highest ceilings in the
    league among young players, Frank Nazar’s performances and what starts to look like a
    team-friendly contract opens up a number of interesting questions.


    If Connor Bedard bet on himself to earn a contract well north of $10 million AAV,
    what happens if Frank Nazar outperforms him this year? Will it matter? Should it
    matter? Will Kyle Davidson use Frank Nazar’s contract and performances to negotiate
    with Connor Bedard’s representatives? Can he justify giving Connor a contract worth
    almost double against the player that just outperformed him over 82 games?
    Connor Bedard surely put himself in an interesting position.


    It would be unthinkable for Connor Bedard, a Calder Trophy winner, and his
    team’s leading scorer for two years in a row as an 18 and 19-year-old to sign for less

    than $10 million AAV, especially when players like Luke Hughes and Lane Hutson
    recently inked deals close to that number.


    Furthermore, every player’s situation is different and there are other intangibles
    that boost a player’s value such as name recognition throughout the league and in
    Canada, jersey sales and marketing potential. Also, as a first line center, Connor is
    often faced with the opposing team’s best centers, which influences his point production
    while Frank can benefit from slightly easier matchups.


    At the end of the day, no matter what happens, the Blackhawks are better off
    having two elite prospects that seem to be trending into becoming the next NHL
    superstars. They have recently become off-ice friends as well, attending Bears and
    Cubs games together. Their on-ice competition will make them better as players and
    make the team better moving forward.


    Whatever contract Connor ends up signing, it should not cause any problems in
    the dressing room or friction with Frank. However, it will be interesting to watch these
    two future franchise cornerstones over the course of the season.

  • USHL Players of the Week!

    Top Offensive & Defensive Player of the Week + Top Goalie of the Week

    Offensive Player of the Week – Brent Solomon Sioux Falls Stampede

    Brent Solomon was unstoppable this week. He racked up five goals and three assists in just three games, but what set him apart wasn’t just the numbers. It was the way he took over games. His hat trick and assist in a 5-0 win over Des Moines felt like a statement performance that reminded everyone he’s one of the USHL’s most dangerous players when he’s locked in. Solomon has a knack for stepping up in big moments, and his ability to create offense out of almost nothing continues to separate him from the pack. He’s now up to 15 points (9G, 6A) in 10 games and sits among the league’s scoring leaders.

    Defensive Player of the Week – Jake Prunty Sioux Falls Stampede

    Jake Prunty quietly put together one of the best weeks from the blue line so far this season. His six assists were more than just secondary touches; they were key plays that fueled three wins for his team. Prunty plays with confidence and poise in the offensive zone and shows great instincts jumping into the play at the right times. With 10 points in just five games, he leads the entire USHL in points per game, and his +5 rating this week shows how complete his game has become. He’s been the heartbeat of his team’s transition game and looks every bit like a top-tier defenseman in this league.

    Goalie of the Week – William Prowse Lincoln Stars

    After a rocky start to the year, William Prowse delivered the kind of week that can completely change a season’s direction. He went 2-0 with a shutout, stopping 49 of 51 shots for a .958 save percentage, and looked calm and composed in the crease. His performance was exactly what Lincoln needed, a steadying presence that gave the team confidence. Prowse has raised his save percentage from .896 to .924 and dropped his goals-against average from 2.77 to 1.93. The numbers are impressive, but what really stood out was his composure under pressure. He looked like the same goaltender who went 15-3-2 last season, maybe even better

  • 6 TOP NCAA DRAFT ELIGIBLES

    6 TOP NCAA DRAFT ELIGIBLES

    As hockey season begins in many leagues around North America, prospects eligible for
    the 2026 NHL Entry Draft look to put their best foot forward to start the year. Each month, we
    will cover each of the six players currently playing NCAA hockey and how they rank in this
    year’s draft. Here is the report from our first month, October:


    1: Gavin McKenna – LW, Penn State

    No surprises here, as McKenna rightfully takes number one. The hype around him is
    real, and his abilities in the offensive zone could transform an NHL offense. I also love
    the decision to go to the NCAA from McKenna, as while his production will dip and he
    will struggle more often than he would in the WHL, it will pay off for him in the long run,
    as the NCAA has a great track record of development. He plays on a top line in the
    NCAA, playing over 21 minutes a night in his four games so far. He is trusted at a high
    level, and that is mainly due to his high-end offensive traits. He is quick, and his agility
    and lateral movement are excellent. He is best off the rush, using creative ways to work
    the puck into the slot and rip it into the net, or find a way to dish it to a teammate. His
    forecheck and defensive abilities need plenty of work, but that’s not why you draft him.
    His skill is just too high to pass up on in the offensive zone, and McKenna will likely be
    stapled to the number one spot on this list for the rest of the year, barring drastic
    changes.


    2: Keaton Verhoeff – RD, North Dakota

    After an incredible year with the Victoria Royals, including 21 goals from the back end,
    Verhoeff decided to take his talents to North Dakota, something that will surely improve
    his development. He has great size at 6’4”, and uses it well for poke-checks and
    blocking zone-entries. He also collapses gaps incredibly quickly, most times using his
    size to pin an opposing player to the boards before the zone entry, and allows a
    teammate to retrieve the puck if he can’t do so himself. His biggest strength, however, is
    easily his shot. You don’t score 21 goals in the WHL as a 16-year-old defenseman with a
    sub-par shot, and Verhoeff is certainly no exception. He takes plenty of shots from the
    back-end, and when he has time to let one rip, there is a likely chance it hits twine. His
    first goal in a North Dakota uniform was just that, a rocket from behind the circles.
    Verhoeff isn’t perfect, though, and some of his inconsistencies bother me. First, his
    skating is not great. It isn’t a weakness necessarily, but he can at times be caught flat-
    footed and will flail trying to do quick crossovers to make up for it. He is a taller
    defenseman, so super smooth skating isn’t a dealbreaker, but it is noticeable. Second,
    he tends to be one of the first players to join the rush or head into the attacking zone.
    This is great for most offensive defenders, but that means he will likely need a defensive
    partner to balance him out, despite Verhoeff’s individual defense being solid. Those
    aren’t huge problems, but when you are projected as a future number one defender,
    small skating or defense issues will be amplified. One of the best things about Verhoeff,
    though, is his age. He is only 17 and has a July birthday, meaning by the time he turns
    18, he will have an entire NCAA season under his belt, one of the best developments

    leagues, especially for defensemen. These issues I have with him may be entirely gone
    by the end of the season, or they may be his main issues. Verhoeff is definitely one to
    wait and see how he develops this year, but he will likely be a top-three pick in a loaded
    2026 class.


    3: Ilia Morozov** – C, Miami (OH)

    Here is where we start branching out into lesser-known names; however, I doubt that will
    be true of Morozov for long. He has caught my eye so quickly that he will be the topic of
    the first prospect analysis article. Last year, he played for the Tri-City Storm of the
    USHL, putting up 11 goals and 22 points in 56 games, a good showing for the then 16-
    year-old. Now, at 17 with an August birthday, the incredibly young forward took the step
    up to the NCAA. As the youngest player in the league, he has made his presence known
    with 3 goals and 7 points in only four games for Miami Ohio. At 6’3”, he already has the
    size to be physical and protect the puck on his stick. He isn’t a player who excels with
    the puck on his stick, however. Almost any time his team enters the offensive zone,
    Morozov goes directly to the front of the net. But he is not inactive, constantly shifting or
    gliding behind the net to continue a cycle. He is not the best of the boards, but like
    Verhoeff, that makes sense with a 17-year-old in the NCAA, even if both are above 6
    feet. He has a quick release and specifically excels with his catch-and-release shot. He
    also has already shown a high motor at times, but he is inconsistent and will sometimes
    not push himself on a backcheck or forecheck. Not only is he inconsistent, but his
    skating is also an issue and he will need to improve if he wants to make the NHL.
    Overall, a fascinating package that could turn a lot of heads around hockey circles if he
    can continue to produce. He has already brought the Miami Ohio Hockey program to a
    better season than last year, as they have gone 4-0-0 to start the year, while they only
    won 3 games all of last year. If this young prospect can continue reviving an NCHC
    program as the top line center with great net-front skills, he may be a lot better than
    many know right now. I think at the very least he is a first-rounder, and if he continues to
    improve, he could creep into the top 15.


    4: Adam Valentini – LW, Michigan

    Valentini has a lot of development ahead, but he could be really good if he can continue
    to grow his game. Another late-birthday 2008 (April), but chose to take the jump to the
    NCAA, and in 4 games already has 3 assists. You can see what made Valentini so good
    for the Chicago Steel last year, where he put up 17 goals and 39 points in 58 games, a
    very good performance in the USHL. Now at Michigan, you can see how his game is a
    bit less refined compared to others in the NCAA. But the skill level and talent are there;
    he just needs some fine-tuning. His small area skill is great; he can stickhandle quickly
    and in stride, he is a hound entering the zone, stick lifts and works around opponents,
    and tries to create a chance even when the play is seemingly broken up. But his
    defensive positioning, forechecking effort, and physical play all leave more to be desired.
    A lot of these issues can be worked out, and like all players on this list, it will be
    interesting to see how the coaching staff will develop him, especially one as good as

    Michigan’s. I think Valentini is also currently a first-round level prospect, and if he
    improves so should his draft stock.


    5: Landon Nycz – LD, Massachusetts

    Landon Nycz is another player who I think is flying under the radar right now, but by draft
    day people will know who he is. Already logging around 15 minutes a night, he may only
    be the fifth option on the backend for the Minutemen, but he shows promise already. He
    has good size at 6’2”, and skates incredibly well for his size. His crossovers and
    transition skating is so fluid it looks second nature to Nycz. He normally begins the
    breakout for his team, can fake opponents in the defensive zone, and then find a seam
    pass to one side in the neutral zone to transition to offense. While he normally stays high
    to be the last man back, he will occasionally cycle in the offensive zone and drive
    towards the net to get a better chance. He also shoots the puck a ton, especially off
    feeds at the blue-line, resulting in Nycz’ first NCAA goal last week. He is noticeable
    responsible in the way he plays and will battle net front to clear his crease. The lack of
    glaring issues is also a large plus for Nycz. He is already 18 as a October birthday, but
    to be a noticeable defenseman in the NCAA at 18 is no easy feat. I see him slotting into
    a second-round pick come draft time, as his mix of skating, size, and high level of
    competition in the NCAA make him appealing. If he can keep up this pace this year, he
    is likely an early day two selection.


    6: Lincoln Kuehne – RD, Arizona State

    Not a ton to say about Kuehne, although he is a notable prospect in his own right. He is
    a 6’2”, defense-first defenseman who is currently shoring up the bottom pair for Arizona
    State. He was at the United States National Development Program last year, where he
    put up 3 assists and a +8 rating in 27 games. He uses his size well, effectively
    eliminating rush chances against the boards. He closes gaps quickly and doesn’t give
    oncoming forwards any room. This is effective; however, higher-level forwards will be
    able to work around this method, so he will need to advance his defensive technique to
    get to the next level. He skates fairly well and uses it to reach pucks and close lanes
    quickly. He hasn’t put up any stats for ASU yet this year, but as a shutdown third-pair
    defenseman, no news means a job well done. I don’t know if Kuehne has a super high
    ceiling, but playing any role on a good ASU program in your draft year is a good sign.
    And if you want to develop a defenseman anywhere, it’s the NCAA. A big issue with him
    so far is his ice-time, as he currently ranks last on Arizona State with just over 11
    minutes a night on average. When you are playing less than most forwards as a
    defensemen, it may be cause for concern due to the lack of trust with the coach that
    shows. How he develops throughout the year will decide his draft ranking, as he has just
    not played enough at the NCAA level yet.

    It may be a little ridiculous to try and project where these players will go on draft night in
    nine months, but the exercise to more to express the level there are playing at over the course
    of the year. These 6 players all deserve a nod in some aspect, as playing college hockey in your draft year is impressive in itself. I’m excited to keep covering them over the course of this year to
    see how they can grow their games, and where they do end up in the draft.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    J.P Hurlbert Continues His Hot Start to the Year

    The 2025–26 Canadian Hockey League season is shaping up to be another showcase of emerging star power, with several draft-eligible talents making their mark early. Top prospects are wasting no time turning heads coast-to-coast, from a scorching start in Kamloops to dominant play down the middle in Oshawa and a power-play clinic in Peterborough. J.P. Hurlbert has been the talk of the Western Hockey League with a torrid scoring pace that’s drawing historic comparisons, Brooks Rogowski is using his size and skill to elevate his draft stock, and Adam Novotny continues to prove why he’s one of the Ontario Hockey League’s most dangerous young wingers. Here’s a closer look at three standout performances that defined this past week for draft eligibles.

    J.P Hurlbert | RW | Kamloops Blazers

    J.P. Hurlbert’s start to the Western Hockey League campaign has gotten people in hockey very excited for his pro potential. The 5-foot-11, 176 pound winger leads the league in points after roughly two weeks of regular season play with 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 11 games.

    The Allen, Texas, native, who joined Kamloops via the United States National Development Team Program U17 team, continued to build on his hot start with eight points (two goals, six assists) in four contests in the past week. The two-way forward started his week contributing an assist on all four Blazers goals in a 4-3 overtime win over the Regina Pats. He followed it up with a goal and an assist on Thursday in a 7-5 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Hurlbert drove the net and popped in a rebound to pick up his 11th goal in ten games on Friday, but the Blazers fell 6-3 to the Brandon Wheat Kings. Hurlbert was held off the scoresheet on Sunday during a 3-2 shootout loss to the Swift Current Broncos. It wasn’t for lack of trying, as he had 13 shot attempts with five hitting the target. Defensively, he was credited with six shot blocks in the contest.

    Hurlbert’s hot start has him on pace for a 68 goal, 80 assist, 148 point season, which would be the third-best draft-eligible season in the WHL behind Rob Brown’s 173 points in 1985-86 and Ken Yaremchuk’s 157 points in 1981-82. It would put him five points ahead of what Connor Bedard accomplished in 2022-23.

    Brooks Rogowski | C | Oshawa Generals

    In a draft year without a definite number one center, there is plenty of room for the young men who play down the middle to up their draft stock. Brooks Rogowski of the Oshawa Generals could find himself in that conversation.

    The Brighton, Michigan, native has excellent size and has shown a knack for getting on the scoresheet. The 6-foot-6, 227 pound middleman is averaging the second most ice time for forwards with an average of 22:15, behind only Columbus Blue Jackets fifth-round pick Owen Griffin.

    Rogowski opened the week by tying up the score 2-2 on the power play by collecting a rebound off a Hoaxi Wang shot and shoveling it past the Windsor Spitfires goaltender. He added a goal and an assist on Thursday night in a 7-3 loss to the Peterborough Petes. He led the Generals forwards in ice time on Saturday in a 7-1 drubbing of the Generals by the Kingston Frontenacs. He finished off the week with a four-assist afternoon as the Generals avenged its earlier loss to Peterborough, besting them 6-4.

    Adam Novotny | LW | Peterborough Petes

    Adam Novotny is an early favorite to land somewhere in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, and his start with Peterborough is sure to keep him in those talks. After spending the 2024-25 season split between junior national team duties and Mountfield HK’s pro team, the 6-foot-1 winger has acclimatized well to the OHL with 11 points in 11 games.

    Novotny opened his scoring for the week by being in the perfect place to pop a rebound by the Oshawa Generals’ goalkeeper to give the Petes a 4-1 lead in the second period. He added an assist later in the contest, making a slick move around a Generals defender and firing a shot that left a juicy rebound that teammate Matthew Soto pushed home. He wasn’t done there; Novotny put the game way out of reach after some good passing by the Petes’ power play. Novotny took a feed, waited a second for traffic to set up, and wired a wrist shot that the Generals keeper had no chance to get.

    Novotny continued to show his prowess on the power play throughout the week. During his team’s second contest of the OHL’s inaugural Rivalry Week, he took a feed while the Petes were on a 5-on-3 and wired a one-timer to put his team ahead 2-0. He added another power play marker in his team’s final contest of the week. After skating the puck up the ice, Novotny fed the point and then set up for a return pass. After getting the puck back, he stepped in and wired a wrist shot that had eyes for the back of the net.

  • QMJHL Game Reports

    Donald Hickey

    2025-09-28 PEI 4 @ Newfoundland 1 (QMJHL)

    Hickey’s mobility and athleticism were evident right from the first few clips of this viewing. He moves fluidly and can contort his body to make non-traditional saves. His hip flexibility allows him to adopt a wide stance and adapt to various play developments in front of him. He was also impressive in absorbing and catching pucks cleanly. However, he sometimes relies too much on his mobility, leading to unorthodox saves that pull him out of position. Improving his overall positioning and recovery structure will be key to maximizing his save efficiency. Hickey is an intriguing overage prospect for the 2026 draft, his mobility alone could draw attention, even if the rest of his game remains average.

    William Lacelle

    2025-10-03 Rimouski 2 @ Québec 3 SO (QMJHL)

    Lacelle displays an impressive mix of technical fundamentals and athleticism. His speed and quickness allow him to move efficiently and set up square to shooters. I was particularly impressed with his crease management as he stayed patient on his edges and setting quickly for shots or rebounds. His positioning was consistent, keeping his chest centered on the puck even deep on his shortside as he likes to use an aggressive overlap technique. One area for improvement is his butterfly seal; it’s not always tight or compact, occasionally allowing pucks through. Overall, Lacelle continues to impress with how he combines technical skill and athletic control. It’s still early in the season, but he’s already showing signs of being one of the top goalie prospects in his class, and worthy of early-round draft consideration.

    Rafael Courchesne

    2025-10-04 Saint John 7 @ Moncton 5 (QMJHL)

    Courchesne uses his long frame well, positioning himself effectively to face initial shots. He plays relatively deep in his crease, taking short, controlled paths to stay square without overcommitting. This shows good play awareness and anticipation. However, he looked average in several key traits, particularly speed and athleticism. His mechanics appeared stiff, and he struggled to seal the ice properly in the butterfly and RVH. While Courchesne remains a prospect worth tracking because of his size alone, he’ll need to show clear progression in these areas to emerge as a legitimate candidate for the 2026 draft.

    Jacoby Weiner

    2025-09-19 Moncton 4 @ Newfoundland 5 OT (QMJHL)

    Weiner is a tall, powerful goalie who moves with strength and control in the crease. His long, forceful strides help him beat plays on his feet and challenge shooters assertively. One of the most impressive aspects of his game was how he handled screens. He stood tall in the blue paint and used frequent head checks to locate pucks without compromising posture. His recoveries were efficient, quickly regaining squareness quickly after initial saves. However, rebound control was an issue. He bobbled several pucks in front and directed others into dangerous areas, prolonging defensive-zone pressure. Despite that, Weiner possesses the physical tools to be a draftable goalie prospect, likely in the mid-rounds, with upside to rise if his rebound control and overall play improves.

    Jan Larys

    2025-10-03 Shawinigan 3 @ Drummondville 5 (QMJHL)

    Larys could become one of the smartest draft-eligible goalies in his class. His hockey IQ is evident in how he reads developing plays and adjusts his positioning accordingly. I liked how he glided along the crease’s red line to make small adjustments and stay square through puck movement in the defensive zone. Though not the most explosive or athletic goalie, his strong reads allowed him to make tough saves look manageable. His weight distribution, however, sometimes appears off, making him look stiff in certain movements. I also noticed he can over-anticipate passes, occasionally tilting early and exposing his short side. Even with those flaws, Larys showed enough to earn a firm spot on my ranking list this season. With a solid workload ahead in Drummondville, he’ll have ample opportunity to showcase his progress to NHL scouts leading into the 2026 draft.

  • Douglas Nilsson

    2025-10-04 Färjestad 2 @ Malmö 3 (U20 Nationell)

    Nilsson is a technically refined goalie with strong mechanics. His spatial awareness in the crease is excellent, and he makes subtle positional adjustments to maintain good angles and squareness. His stance is stable and controlled, with active, yet composed, hands that remain balanced through movement. While Nilsson isn’t the fastest goalie in his class, he compensates with intelligent positioning. However, this often forces him to play passively and stay deeper in his crease. When he does challenge on rushes, he can be beaten by quicker players due to limited recovery speed. Nilsson’s polished technique will certainly draw NHL interest, but his lack of quickness could raise questions about his long-term projection at higher levels.

  • Carter Casey

    2025-10-04 Calgary 1 @ Medicine Hat 7 (WHL)

    Casey’s trademark explosiveness has clearly translated from the USHL to the WHL. Every movement he makes is crisp, efficient, and powerful. He’s one of the most electric goalies eligible for the 2026 draft. Beyond his athleticism, I was impressed by his puck tracking. He saw pucks all the way into his body, controlling rebounds effectively. I didn’t see him bobble a single shot to the chest or glove. However, his extreme quickness sometimes leads to positional inconsistencies, leaving holes for shooters. For example, his RVH transitions are fast but not always sealed properly. He’ll need to refine that consistency to round out his game. Even with those details to polish, Casey projects as a draftable prospect, likely in the mid-rounds of the 2026 draft.