DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Uncertainty on whether or not Anton Frondell is a center or winger remains

    Uncertainty on whether or not Anton Frondell is a center or winger remains

    When Anton Frondell was drafted third overall in 2025, many people assumed he would be the much-needed linemate for Connor Bedard. The pair played together in only three of Frondell’s 12 NHL games last season. Jeff Blashill gave the young Swede a shot at the second-line center position, where he thrived. Frondell drove a second line with Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Mikheyev. 

    It seems Blashill really liked what he saw, as Frondell has played center in both of his preseason appearances so far and is set to do so again in tonight’s final preseason game. 

    Unfortunately, Frondell hasn’t looked nearly as dangerous as he did in the regular season last year. Jeff Blashill commented on Frondell’s play so far.

    “I don’t think he’s got to his A-game yet, which is ok. I thought he played his A-game when he came over [last season]… At times, you’ve taken so much information in, you’ve just got to kind of let it happen a little bit. He’s going to be a really good player. There’s no doubt in my mind. He’s still 19 years old. There’s going to be ups and downs, and we just have to have realistic expectations.” 

    Fortunately, Frondell’s defensive game has remained solid, which usually isn’t the case for teenagers in the NHL. Frondell is a 200-foot player who has often been compared to Aleksander Barkov, so it’s reasonable to expect him to have a defensive impact right away. Frondell has an elite shot as well, which is what makes him such a complete player.

    So far this pre-season, Frondell has been paired with Nick Lardis, another pure goal scorer. However, their games seem to clash, rather than complement each other. Both of them are shooters who need a linemate who can go to the dirty areas and win puck battles. 

    Tonight, those two will be split up for the first time this preseason. Frondell will center the top line with Bertuzzi and Mangiapane. Mangiapane is a “puck-pursuit type player”, according to Blashill. Nick Lardis will play on the third line with Roman Kantserov and Teuvo Teravainen. 

    Whether or not Frondell is a full-time center or winger is still a mystery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • The Blackhawks penalty kill could remain a bright spot this season

    The Blackhawks penalty kill could remain a bright spot this season

    Last season the Blackhawks had the second best penalty kill (PK) in the NHL, successfully killing 83.6% of penalties. After losing PK staples like Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, and Ilya Mikheyev, it seems reasonable to expect the PK to take step backwards this season.

    However, according to head coach Jeff Blashill, the success of the PK is dependent on the system, not the personnel on the ice.

    Last night’s preseason effort in St. Louis may have resulted in a 1-0 loss, but the PK was once again a positive.

    The Blackhawks killed seven of seven penalties, and they managed to do it without Alex Vlasic, Bowen Byram, Cole Smith and Ian Cole.

    Despite the fact that it was only a preseason game, there are still reasons to believe the PK can be a success once again.

    Last night, the four-man unit was led by Wyatt Kaiser and Artyom Levshunov, who both logged over five and a half minutes of short-handed ice-time. The pair was good, they boxed out well, cleared the front of the net well, and Levshunov had multiple successful clearing attempts.

    Levshunov is a very gifted offensive defensemen, who has major gaps in his defensive game. Seeing him hold his own on the PK is a good sign. If he is going to pan out as a number one, all-situation defenseman like the Blackhawks hope, he needs to be able to kill penalties.

    The rest of the PK was filled in by other young players such as Ryan Greene, Sam Rinzel, Ethan Del Mastro, Oliver Moore, Frank Nazar, and Anton Frondell. Seeing the Blackhawks youth successfully kill seven penalties in row, not just by surviving, but by thriving in some ways, is a really good sign.

    Speed is going to be a factor on the PK this season, we saw it last night. Oliver Moore, Frank Nazar, and even AJ Spellacy were aggressive on perimeter pucks, forcing the Blues to make quick decisions, often resulting in mistakes.

    The young core will also have the support of proven veterans such as Ian Cole, Cole Smith, and Teuvo Teravainen who will be looked at to help guide the young players.

    There is reason to be optimistic about the Blackhawks PK this season. Will they finish second in the league again? probably not, but top half of the league should absolutely be the expectation.

  • Post Draft Prospect Review: Viggo Björck (WPG | 8th OVR 2026)

    A tale as old as time in hockey: smaller players being underrated and dropping in the draft. But now, in 2026, with the success of players such as Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson, the late Great Johnny Hockey, and even in last year’s playoffs with Logan Stankoven, you’d think Teams would have learned not to doubt these super-skilled players. Yet the 2026 draft class is another example of this with 5’9 Swedish Center Viggo Björck. 

    His recent highlight-reel plays at the Jets prospects games have reignited this discussion. Viggo was projected as a top 5 talent by numerous Scouts. For those who are not very familiar with his game and why he is so well liked, Björck is known as a workhorse; he’s like a dog on a bone in the corner while fighting for the puck. His size does not discourage him from battling hard at all. He also uses that strength and leverage to protect the puck at a very high level. What makes  Björck so dynamic is that he combines those gritty skills while having nearly unparalleled hockey IQ. That makes him a great overall offensive player who can do just about everything. 

    Viggo really started making his name known in his draft-minus-one 2024-25 season, where he was dominant for Djurgårdens Junior Team, scoring at a 2 points per game pace. This hype would only increase into the next season. His Draft season in the SHL was impressive, even if his stats don’t look it. Recording 15 in 42 regular season games. You have to take into account that he was 17 and the SHL is a much lower-scoring league, only having 4-point-per-game scorers in the entire league in 2025-26. He had an impressive playoff run in both the Allsvenskan and the  SHL. In the Allsvenskan, he totaled 20 points in just 9 games. Also, in the SHL, he became Djurgårdens Top Center, scoring 3 points in their 3 playoff games. 

    At the International level, he was even more noticeable. At the 2026 World Juniors, Björck was a Top Star for the gold medal-winning Swedish Team. Following the semifinals of this Tournament was when I began believing in Björck as a Top 5 talent of this class. In that game, versus the rival Fins that was ultimately decided in a shootout. In those 10 minutes of overtime before the shootout, Björck was unbelievable. He had a ton of breakaways, never capitalizing, but you couldn’t imagine what you were seeing. His ability to break free from opponents was very evident. 

    Viggo was also selected to play for Team Sweden at the 2026 Men’s World Championship. The fact that he was even selected is impressive enough but would pale in comparison to what Viggo was able to do there. On a roster littered with current and former NHLers such as Lucas Raymond, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Mattias Ekholm, Simon Holmstrom, Emil Heineman, Jacob Silverberg, and many more, Viggo was almost immediately bumped to the first line. That line was composed of NHL All-Star winger Lucas Raymond and fellow 2026 Draftee and 2nd overall pick Ivar Stenberg. That line was Awesome for the Swedes. They just kept getting better and better over the course of the tournament. To preface, Ivar and Viggo were pulling more than their fair share. Often looking better than Raymond. 

    This summer, after being selected 8th overall by the Winnipeg Jets, Viggo chose to leave Sweden and join the Jets right away. Extremely rare for prospects outside the top 3. Only happening for a handful of players in the last few years. Not only does Björck project as an NHLer, but as a Top 6er to fill the Jets’ void at second-line center. If he proves he can hold his own as a top-of-the-lineup player right away, he will be in contention for the Calder with players like Gavin McKenna, Porter Martone, and Ivar Stenberg. 

  • The Blackhawks have two of the top Calder favorites in 2027

    The Blackhawks have two of the top Calder favorites in 2027

    The 2027 Calder race will be one to keep a close eye on, with high-end rookies like Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, Cole Hutson, Porter Martone, and James Hagens competing for rookie of the year, all of whom are all expected to play large roles on their respective teams.

    This season, the Blackhawks are expected to have two of the Calder Trophy favorites in Anton Frondell and Roman Kantserov. The Blackhawks have had two players win the Calder Trophy in the last 10 years: Connor Bedard in 2024 and Artemi Panarin in 2016. 

    Both Frondell and Kantserov are going to play big roles for the Blackhawks this season. Not only at 5-on-5, where they both should be playing top-six, but also on the power play and penalty kill. 

    Anton Frondell is a 6’1” centerman who plays a well-rounded 200-foot game and has a cannon of a shot. Frondell was taken third overall in the 2025 NHL Draft and is expected to be a cornerstone piece of the team as they ascend towards competing for Stanley Cups. Frondell made his NHL debut at the end of last season, playing the final 12 games with the Blackhawks, where he put up nine points and drove the second line, centering Tyler Bertuzzi and Ilya Mikheyev. Not only are the Blackhawks starting this season with Frondell rather than just ending it with him, but they have also added Patrick Kane, Roman Kantserov, and an older, more experienced Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. 

    Anton Frondell is going to have every opportunity to play in the top six, where he will be surrounded by the previously mentioned Kane, Bedard, Nazar, and Kantserov. The Blackhawks expect to take a massive step this season, and if they do, Frondell will be a big part of it.

    The same can be said for the 5’9” Russian-born center, Roman Kantserov. Kantserov is entering his rookie season in the NHL and will have just as much opportunity as Frondell. Having played professional hockey in the KHL over the past three seasons, Kantserov has developed playing fast-paced hockey against grown men. He developed so well, in fact, that he ended up leading the KHL in goals with 36 last season.

    Like Frondell, Kantserov is expected to contribute immediately upon arrival. An expectation that very few players live up to in their first seasons. However, Kantserov is 21-years-old and, like I previously mentioned, has three seasons of professional hockey under his belt. 

    If both Frondell and Kantserov find themselves in the Calder conversation at the end of the season, then the Blackhawks as a whole likely took a big step.

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