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.
Tag: 2026 NHL Draft
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2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Tynan Lawrence (C)
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Weekly 2026 NHL Draft Eligible Three Stars
By Stuart Miller-Davis
With playoff runs coming to an end across much of the hockey world, the draft year is officially winding down for many NHL hopefuls. While a select few still have opportunities to impress at the Memorial Cup or the IIHF World Championship, most prospects have already completed the most important campaigns of their young careers.
This week’s three stars feature two Swedish forwards continuing to prove they can thrive against significantly older competition, along with an overage QMJHL forward whose strong finish helped deliver a championship for his club.
Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of May 11 to 18.
Ivar Stenberg | RW/LW | Sweden (WC)
Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg has shown throughout his draft year that no stage is too big. After producing one of the strongest seasons ever by an 18-year-old in the SHL and playing a major role in Sweden’s gold medal run at the World Junior Championship, the Stenungsund native is now making his mark at the IIHF World Championship.
The 6-foot forward recorded three assists in as many games this past week in Switzerland and has looked right at home on Sweden’s top line alongside Detroit Red Wings standout Lucas Raymond and fellow draft-eligible forward Viggo Björck.
The second-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings recorded a pair of assists in Sweden’s dominant win over Denmark. His playmaking ability was on full display, particularly on a setup to Björck, who converted with a one-timer past the Danish goaltender.
Stenberg also added a secondary assist on a goal by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Sweden’s comeback attempt against Czechia, though the Swedes ultimately fell short.
Viggo Björck | C | Sweden (WC)
Viggo Björck continues to strengthen his draft stock with every opportunity against older competition. The Swedish center emerged as Djurgården’s top-line pivot late in the season before dominating the U20 playoffs, where he recorded 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in nine games and helped lead his club to a league championship.
Though slightly undersized at 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds, the Stockholm native has continued to prove that his skill and hockey sense allow him to thrive against more physically mature competition.
That trust has carried over to the international stage, where Sweden has deployed Björck at center on its top line at the World Championship.
Both of his tournament points came against Denmark, but his impact has extended well beyond the scoresheet. Among Swedish forwards, only established NHL players Lucas Raymond, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Adrian Kempe have averaged more ice time than the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks prospect Wilson Björck.
Liam Lefebvre | C | Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
Overage forward Liam Lefebvre has made a seamless transition from United States prep school hockey to Canadian major junior, emerging as an important contributor during a championship run.
The Montreal native recorded 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 35 games with the Rimouski Océanic before being acquired by the Chicoutimi Saguenéens ahead of the trade deadline.
The 6-foot-3, 203-pound center elevated his production after the move to one of the QMJHL’s top clubs, recording 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 25 games. Despite averaging just 14:32 of ice time per game, the Trinity-Pawling alumnus finished third on the team in points per game among skaters who appeared in at least 45 contests.
Lefebvre added four points in four games this past week, helping the Saguenéens secure their first league championship since 1994. His ability to provide secondary scoring and consistent two-way play proved to be an important part of Chicoutimi’s title-winning run.
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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. -
U18 World Championship – Goaltending Review: Who Rose, Who Fell, and Who Came Out of Nowhere
The goaltending picture at the 2026 U18 World Championship was, as usual, a mix of
confirmation, disappointment, and genuine surprise. Some prospects used the tournament as a
launching pad. Others reminded us why evaluation is never a straight line. And at least one
name that wasn’t on anyone’s radar deserves serious attention heading into June.Here is my breakdown of the goaltenders who stood out, who underwhelmed, and who made
the most unexpected impression of the tournament.Who stood out
Martin Psohlavec — CZEI had been watching Psohlavec in the Czech U20 league for a while, quietly impressed but
wondering how the step up in competition would treat him. International play at this age group is
a different animal. The pace is faster, the reads have to come quicker, and the mental load is
heavier. He answered every question.What struck me first against Sweden was his engagement level. He wasn’t passive in his
crease. He was active, challenging shooters with controlled aggressiveness while still
communicating with his defenders through consistent shoulder checks. That kind of awareness,
the willingness to act as an extra set of eyes on the ice, is something you can’t really teach. He
plays a mature game for his age.Technically, his puck tracking was reliable and his rebound control was effective throughout the
tournament. Against Finland, he showed improved quickness and well-positioned hands that
maximized his save radius. His post integration was strong, mixing RVH and overlap at
appropriate moments rather than defaulting to one option. His anticipatory habits were also
evident: reading passes early and arriving set without oversliding.The main technical flag is his cross-crease slide trajectory, which was too linear at times,
creating exploitable openings. And he did struggle on some clean perimeter shots in the
Sweden semifinal, reacting a tick late. Extended recoveries can also cost him structure
occasionally. These are refinement issues, not foundational ones.By the end of the tournament, Psohlavec had significantly elevated his draft stock. He came in
as an underrated name and left as a legitimate middle to late with clear upside. This is the kind
of tournament performance scouts remember.
Patriks Plūmiņš — LATIf you asked me to cast ballot with the name of the most valuable goaltender at this tournament,
it would be Plūmiņš without hesitation. Latvia is not a hockey powerhouse, and the league and
competition level he plays in during the regular season makes it genuinely difficult to evaluate
him properly throughout the year. You’re always left wondering how much of what you’re seeing
is quality and how much is context.He answered that definitively in this tournament.
Forty-eight saves in a high-pressure QF elimination game, with the Americans throwing
everything at him: traffic, physical play, sustained zone time. He remained composed and
confident from start to finish. His puck tracking through traffic was excellent: seeing pucks
cleanly, reacting quickly to releases, and keeping his hands decisive. Very few dangerous
rebounds. That kind of performance, under that kind of pressure, against that level of
competition, tells you a lot about a goaltender’s character.Across the tournament, his athletic base was his biggest calling card. Strong lower-body power,
excellent flexibility, an ability to widen his stance and seal the ice effectively. Against Finland, he
stopped 32 of 34 shots and showed a solid athletic foundation that allowed him to cover large
areas of the net. Against Norway, he highlighted both his upside and his rawness: the lower
body impressive, the upper body and hands more rigid, his compact stance occasionally limiting
him.The main concern remains his structure on extended recoveries. In several sequences, he lost
his balance and ended up on his back or seated, which becomes a problem when better teams
generate second and third chances. His edge control and movement efficiency also need some
refinements.But here is the reality: if Plūmiņš was not on draft boards before this tournament, he needs to be
now. If he was, he’s now definitely higher. A mid-round selection appears to be locked, and
depending on how teams weigh tournament performance, he could even exceed that. He is a
hot commodity heading into June.Who did not
Pyry Lammi — FINI wanted Lammi to prove people wrong. NHL Central scouting did not include him in their
preliminary list, and I thought there was a real chance this tournament could change that. His
speed and athleticism are genuine and they catch your eye immediately. But being a smaller
goaltender means the margin for error is narrower, and the technical details matter even more.
You need to be fundamentally ahead of plays, not reactive to them.Against Latvia, even in a shutout, the concerns were visible. Lammi plays a reactive style rather
than an anticipatory one. He was gathering information after the fact, leading to suboptimal
positioning. There was a rush sequence where he defaulted to RVH despite no legitimate
passing threat, the correct read there is an overlap for better coverage. Those details, small as
they seem, compound over a full game against better competition.Against Canada, it fell apart. He looked overwhelmed by sustained pressure, losing sight of the
puck frequently and breaking down structurally on passing plays and rebounds. His play
recognition and recoveries were problematic. After goals, he appeared disoriented, suggesting
difficulty processing sequences in real time. For a smaller goalie, where positioning and reads
are the great equalizer, these are significant issues.This tournament did not help his cause. He could fall outside the draft range entirely, and it
would be hard to argue against that assessment based on what I saw here.
Viggo Tamm — SWETamm came into the tournament with some expectation attached to his name in a weaker
Swedish goalie draft class, but he never established himself as the starter Sweden needed. The
time he did play, he looked lost, unable to impose himself on the game or give his team the
confidence that a top goaltending performance can provide.There is not much more to say. At a tournament where you need to seize your opportunity, he
didn’t. His draft stock will reflect that.Special mention
Anton Wilde — DENI will be honest: I did not have Anton Wilde on my radar before this tournament. Denmark does
not typically produce goaltenders who draw serious NHL draft attention, and there was nothing
in his pre-tournament profile that demanded a closer look.Then he stopped 54 shots against the United States.
What made the performance remarkable was not just the shot volume , it was how he managed
the game. Against a high-powered USA offense that generated sustained pressure from start to
finish, Wilde remained calm and composed. 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 Americans to catch him off guard. His rebound control was
a key factor as well, slowing the pace in the defensive zone and giving his defenders the time
they needed to reset.Coming off a strong first start against Germany, his confidence was evident. This was not a
goaltender hanging on. It was a goaltender competing, and competing well.The realistic outcome here is a late-round selection, and even that would be based almost
entirely on these tournament performances rather than a deep body of work. But at minimum,
Wilde has now put himself on the map. If nothing else, this should generate genuine interest in
bringing him to North America to continue his junior career, and that conversation, a few weeks
ago, would not have happened at all.Sometimes a tournament creates a player. For Wilde, that’s exactly what happened here.
Final Thought
Goaltending evaluation at the U18 level is always imprecise. Sample sizes are small,
competition quality varies, and development timelines for goaltenders are notoriously long. The
key is not to overreact on good or bad performances. But tournaments like this one are
valuable precisely because they strip away context and this year performances were too
impressive to ignore. Everyone is playing under the same pressure, against the same
competition, at the same time. The draft will tell us how much of it stuck or not for these
prospects. -
2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Ethan Belchetz (LW)
Ethan Belchetz:
Projection: Middle 6 Winger
Strengths: Physically mature game, Ability to drive the play, Strong shot
Weaknesses: Needs to grow into his skates, Lack of creativity and
adaptability, Weak transition gameAnalysis:
Ethan Belchetz is another big power forward in this draft class. He
has a very physically mature game for being 6’5 230lbs and isn’t
afraid to use it to his advantage. He likes to lean on defenders along
the boards, forcing the puck to his stick before driving the net.
Through the use of his size, he is also a force when planted in front
of the goalie for rebounds, deflections, or backdoor passes. Where he
is the most dangerous is inside the circle without the puck, where he
can make use of his very powerful shot.That’s kind of where I see his strengths begin to fall off. Apart from
his size and heavy shot, he lacks anything that is super outstanding
or noteworthy. I find that he still hasn’t found his stride due to his
size, so he lacks any monumental speed or dangerous explosiveness. He
doesn’t have any special stickhandling or vision abilities, so the
only way I find he beats defenders is by making use of his body to
protect the puck and drive wide or cut to the middle before releasing
his shot. He also has a very weak transition game in my eyes. He
struggles to make pinpoint passes on the rush, and when he decides on
what he’s going to do, he has a hard time adapting and deviating from
that plan based on how the play develops. With some extra time and a
good development path, he has the potential to be a solid middle-six
play driver. -
Game Report – Moncton Wildcats 6 vs Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 2 – April 27th, 2026
April 27th, 2026
Round 3, Game 3
Moncton Wildcats 6 VS Blainville Boisbriand Armada 2
Venue: Centre Excellence Sports Rousseau
#21 D, Jan Golicic
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6’5″, 201 lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: June 30th, 2006Overview:
Jan Golicic is a poised puck moving/defensive defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. Steady in his own zone, he plays with a sound mind, letting the game come to him and forcing the opposition to make the mistake. His shot is used intelligently. When discussing his mechanics though, although follow through’s low, he lacks emphasis on hip rotation which is why his shots are not powerful. Jan’s main weakness lies in his puck handling as he does maintain good control, but his stick movement is considered choppy. His passing is his best offensive trait as he keeps every pass very flat on the ice which eases transition greatly, especially from breakouts. Skating-wise, he has a strong forward stride but lacks explosiveness in his reverse and lateral movement, which can expose him against quicker opponents. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork well to disrupt plays and maintain strong positioning. What he will need to work on is becoming imposing physically. That first starts by putting a lot more weight on so he can build that confidence up. Then it’s the matter of knowing how to throw it.
Player Projection
Ceiling: Top 4 Puck Moving/Shutdown Defenseman
Floor: 7th Defenseman
Special Teams: PK2
Production Outlook: 5~ Goals, 25-30~ Points
Pick Range: 118th overall
Player Comp: Jamie Oleksiak (With Noah Dobson hands)
Strengths:
- Defensive Play: Strong positional awareness, great at using his reach and stick to break up plays and prevent offensive pressure.
- Skating Strides: Strong stride generates speed for him to win races.
- Puck Distribution: Displays great consistency at moving the puck crisply. Keeps his passes very flat which aids transition greatly.
Weaknesses:
- Puck Handling: Struggles when carrying the puck up the ice with confidence.
- Shot Power: Displays great intelligence of walking into shoot and following through low, though lacks a lot of emphasis on hip rotation to get that power off.
- Lateral Movement: Needs to improve reverse skating and lateral movement to handle faster, smaller players effectively.
In-game observations:
- Throughout the 1st period, displayed poise in making simple yet effective decisions, becoming conservative for his teammates, aiding breaking the puck out.
- At 4:00 of the 2nd, Jan displayed good patience when defending the 2-on-1, slid down and swatted at the puck to break up a dangerous scoring chance.
- At 7:35 of the 2nd, needs to be mindful of his actions with his stick and needs to keep his feet moving, drew a hooking penalty on the play.
- At 4:15 of the 3rd, on PK, displayed patience when defending the rush, letting the opposition create the mistake and place the puck in a safer environment.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 4.5
- Puck Skills: 5
- Scoring Ability: 3.5
- Playmaking Ability: 5.5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 5.5
- Character: 5
- Physicality: 6
- Defensive Play: 6.5
#15 D, Spencer Gill
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 214 lbs
Shoots: Right
DOB: August 17th, 2006Overview:
Spencer Gill is a poised, puck-moving defenseman who relies on his size, reach, and patience to shut down opponents. He plays a steady, composed game in his own zone, allowing plays to develop and forcing mistakes rather than overcommitting. His shot continues to improve and shows good hip rotation, though keeping his follow-through low will help generate more dangerous chances and consistency as he gains confidence through repetition. With the puck, he isn’t overly flashy, but his poise allows him to make calm, efficient decisions under pressure, helping him transition play quickly. His passing stands out as his best offensive asset as his passes are consistently flat and accurate, making breakouts smooth and reliable. Skating-wise, his lateral mobility is strong for his size, aiding his positioning and gap control, though improved leg extension would help increase his top-end speed. Defensively, he uses his reach and stickwork effectively to disrupt plays, and while he can lean on his reach at times, he has the frame and ability to be physical and punishing when engaged.
Player Projection
Ceiling: Top 4 Puck Moving/Shutdown Defenseman
Floor: Bottom Pair Defenseman
Special Teams: PK, PP2
Production Outlook: 8~ Goals, 35-40~ Points
Pick Range: 59th Overall
Player Comp: Low end Aaron Ekblad
Strengths:
- Defensive Play: Strong positional awareness, great at using his reach and stick to break up plays and prevent offensive pressure.
- Skating Strides: Strong stride generates speed for him to win races.
- Puck Distribution: Displays great consistency at moving the puck crisply. Keeps his passes very flat which aids transition greatly.
Weaknesses:
- Puck Handling: Struggles when carrying the puck up the ice with confidence.
- Shot Power: Displays great intelligence of walking into shoot and following through low, though lacks a lot of emphasis on hip rotation to get that power off.
- Lateral Movement: Needs to improve reverse skating and lateral movement to handle faster, smaller players effectively.
In-game observations:
- At 4:35 of the 1st, Gill made a soft, yet flat breakout saucer pass directly on Carbonneau’s tape.
- At 14:35 of the 1st, after making slightly too hard of a pass, he had to reverse back quickly to defend, read the play very well, intercepted a long breakout pass to prevent a breakaway.
- At 1:20 of the 2nd, displayed tremendous poise and confidence making simple yet effective decisions on PP. Developing confidence shooting the puck through traffic, earned an assist on Lavigne’s goal.
- At 14:00 of the 2nd, developed tremendous confidence with the puck in the o-zone, walked by the opposition and got a shot on goal.
- At 6:45 of the 3rd, displaying confidence with the puck at the point, quickly yet crisply threads the puck over to Nobert for a dangerous chance.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 5.5
- Puck Skills: 5
- Scoring Ability: 4
- Playmaking Ability: 5.5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
- Character: 6
- Physicality: 6
- Defensive Play: 6.5
#8 F, Justin Carbonneau
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 201 lbs
Shoots: Right
DOB: November 25, 2006Overview:
Carbonneau’s game is best described as explosive and powerful as he’s constantly in motion maneuvering his way by or through the opposition with ease. His hands are as quick his foot speed, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates, especially on the rush. A little bit about his skating, although he doesn’t fully extend his strides, he generates tremendous acceleration due to the explosive footwork, getting himself at top speed very quickly. His best trait by far however is no doubt about it is his shot as it is NHL ready. It packs tremendous punch due to how much emphasis he places on leveraging the strength of his hips. This is keeping in mind that his follow through is controlled for how much power he brings. For his size, he is very physically involved as his hits are very impactful when he throws them. Where his game needs work is in his own end as he isn’t sound defensively by any means which he needs to be a lot more conscious of. This also goes for his effort level in his own end. One aspect that could be noted too is that he could utilize his teammates more.
Player Projection
Ceiling: 1st Line Forward
Floor: Top 9 Scoring Forward
Special Teams: PP1, Left Flank
Production Outlook: 40~ Goals, 70-80 Points
Pick Range: 19th overall
Player Comp: Ilya Kolvalchuk
Strengths:
- Shot Release: Very powerful shot, with a near-instant release, strong emphasis on hip rotation.
- Puck Handling: His quick hands are as agile as his feet, weaving his way by the opposition easily.
- Offensive Zone Compete Level/Awareness: Displays relentless effort in the o-zone, understands how he needs to position himself to retrieve the puck via a pass or broken play.
Weaknesses:
- Defensive Positioning: He can sometimes get out of position defensively, creating openings for the opposition.
- Lateral Skating: Although he has a quick stride, his transitions and crossovers occasionally lack smoothness.
- Teammate Utilization: Although displays strong playmaking traits, he relies a bit too much on himself to make the big play.
In-Game Observations
- At 9:00 of the 1st, Carbonneau while 4-on-4 tried doing a bit too much with the puck, ultimately stripped by Bleyl, needs to utilize his teammates better.
- At 19:45 of the 1st, although an energy ball on the ice, he does need to be conservative when it comes to his decision making at the blueline, gave the puck away to Desnoyers.
- During the first PP of the 2nd period, first Carbonneau displayed strong hustle to get back hard on the backcheck. Moments later in the o-zone, displayed strong consistency in puck distribution, earned an assist on Blainville 2nd goal.
- At 10:02 of the 2nd period, displayed his tremendous ability to snap pucks off in a hurry, catching the goaltender a bit off-guard, created a big rebound.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 6.5
- Puck Skill: 7.5
- Scoring Ability: 8
- Playmaking Ability: 6.5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
- Character: 6
- Physicality: 6.5
- Defensive Play: 4.5
#9 F, Bill Zonnon
Team: Blainville Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 190 lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: October 3, 2006Overview:
Bill Zonnon brings power and patience as a playmaker. His ability to read plays, along with his strong net-front presence, makes him a very intriguing and trustworthy player who can be used in any situation. He protects the puck well and is a constant menace around the net due to his high activity level. His elite vision stands out, as he can thread passes through multiple defenders, supported by his crisp, hard, and flat passing mechanics. When it comes to puck handling, he isn’t the quickest, but he remains very controlled. His shot shows solid mechanics on the follow-through, though he needs to be more confident in taking advantage of open lanes without hesitation. Defensively, he is reliable, plays with good positioning, and is willing to block shots. His main area for improvement is skating, where he needs better stride extension for higher top speed and improved lateral explosiveness.
Player Projection
Ceiling: Top 6 Playmaking Forward (2nd Line)
Floor: Bottom 6 Scoring Forward
Special Teams: PP2, Net Front
Production Outlook: 20~ Goals, 50~ Points
Pick Range: 22nd Overall
Player Comp: Adam Henrique/Nick Bonino
Strengths:
- Playmaking and Vision: His awareness in the offensive zone sets him apart from the opposition by deep understanding of his teammate’s positioning.
- Size and Physicality: At 6’2”, he’s already a physical presence, which makes him tough to handle around the net and good body positioning.
- Patience with the Puck: Zonnon is calm under pressure and takes his time to find the best passing or shooting opportunity.
Weaknesses:
- Shooting Confidence: Although demonstrates his ability to really follow through on his shots with power, needs to use it more, allowing for him to be more unpredictable.
- Skating Stride and Lateral Explosiveness: Even though he possesses a tall stance, allowing him to visualize the play, he needs to develop quicker but also more fully extended strides.
- Strength/Balance: Although has good height and leverages it well fending off the opposition, needs to develop lower core muscle, providing stronger stability when receiving checks.
In-Game Observations:
- At 0:40 of the 1st period, Zonnon won a timely faceoff in the offensive zone, drove hard to the net, deflected the puck in for a huge first goal.
- At 3:55 of the 2nd, displayed strong consistency at shielding the puck, then threaded the puck to Desjardins so he can then pass it to Lemieux for a dangerous chance.
- Throughout the game, displayed tremendous consistency at winning board battles and being consistent in winning faceoffs. With that said, when it comes to his strides, doesn’t dig into the ice deep enough which makes him look slower.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 5
- Puck Skill: 6
- Scoring Ability: 5
- Playmaking Ability: 7
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 7
- Character: 6
- Physicality: 6
- Defensive Play: 5
#39 F, Maël Lavigne
Team: Blainville Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 196 lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: February 11th, 2005Overview:
His ability to read plays and his strong net-front presence make him a very intriguing and trustworthy prospect who can play in many situations when asked. This is due to not his strength at protecting the puck and being a menace around the net but also utilizing a strong motor for someone at his size as it allows him to be impactful as well on the defensive side of the puck. When discussing about his puck skills, although he demonstrates good awareness when timing his puck handling, he isn’t very smoothest when controlling it. Even though his passes may not always be the crispest, he understands the mindset of where his teammates are going to be and utilizes them well. On the defensive end, he does showcase great commitment on the backcheck, though what will be key for him is to develop consistency of playing sound in position. His stride although quick for a bigger player, can emphasize more leg extension to create himself higher top speed. His shot, displays great bottom hand activation, though can follow through quicker. Can also build more muscle to be more impactful physically.
Player Projection
Ceiling: Top-9 Scoring Forward
Floor: AHL Top-6 Forward
Special Teams: PP2 (Net-Front)
Production Outlook: 15~ Goals, 35-40~ Points
Pick Range: UndraftedPlayer Comp: Mason Marchment
Strengths:
- Physicality: When in use, really understanding how to throw his weight around and use his size to his advantage.
- Offensive Awareness: Strong understanding of zone coverage, allowing him to navigate through the neutral zone with ease.
- Versatility/Effort Level: Dynamic in any situation given, very consistent, high effort level both on the forecheck and on the backcheck.
Weaknesses:
- Skating Stride: For a bigger player, although displays quickness in his strides, needs to emphasize more leg extensions.
- Inconsistent Puck Handling: Although possesses strong anticipation when to deke, isn’t consistent at smoothly weaving the puck quickly.
- Strength: Although displays great physical engagement, can build more lower core muscle in order to generate stronger balance and generate stronger shot power.
In-game Observations:
- At 12:31 of the 1st, Lavigne active in the o-zone behind the net, was able to distribute the puck to Nobert for a dangerous scoring chance.
- At 1:20 of the 2nd, displayed strong hustle on PP, drove and placed himself at the front of the net, scored by deflecting the puck in for Blainville’s 2nd goal.
- At 3:30 of the 2nd, displayed tremendous will to sacrifice the body and stay committed defensively in position. Led to then him engaging on the o-zone rush for a key scoring chance.
- At 3:15 of the 3rd period, Lavigne provided consistent pressure on the PK, forcing errors at the blueline.
- Throughout the game, displayed strong consistency at winning the draw, was also very consistent with effort level on both the forecheck and the backcheck.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 4.5
- Puck Skill: 5
- Scoring Ability: 6
- Playmaking Ability: 5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 7
- Character: 7
- Physicality: 6
- Defensive Play: 6.5
#72 D, Xavier Villeneuve
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 157 lbs
Shoots: Left
DOB: September 29, 2007
Overview:
Xavier is an electrifying offensive-minded defenseman with great agility and dazzling puck-handling abilities up the rush. Known for his tremendous confidence in carrying the puck and reading the offensive zone, Villeneuve brings a unique flair to the back end for the Armada as even though he is quite the risk taker, he is excellent at understanding when to take risks for the team’s own good. When looking at offensive defensemen, Villeneuve does an excellent job at utilizing his shot as much as he can to cause havoc, or even score. However, his small size limits his effectiveness in physical battles in the corners as, and he’ll need to add a lot of strength to succeed at the NHL level. Even though the league has many smaller players now, the league is now as physical as ever and he will need to get ready to endure long 82 game seasons. With that said though, he does possess tremendous heart in trying to win out puck battles as he has developed the mindset of becoming more physical with his frame.
Player Projection
Ceiling: First Pair Offensive Defenseman
Floor: Top 4/5 Offensive Defenseman, PP QB.
Special Teams: PP1 Quarterback
Production Outlook: 5-10 Goals, 55–65 Points
Pick Range: 15th-30th Overall
Player Comp: Lane Hutson
Strengths:
- Skating and Edgework: Villeneuve’s agility is elite, with quick pivots and tight turns.
- Puck Skills and Passing: Soft hands make his passing smooth and effective, supporting his offensive style.
- Offensive Awareness: Villeneuve has the confidence and vision to be quite the quarterback from the blue line in any scenario (Not even on the powerplay).
Weaknesses:
- Physicality and Balance: Building strength is an absolute must for him to him to be more durable.
- Defensive positioning and decision making with the puck in his own end.
- Discipline: Needs to be mindful of how he possesses himself, especially how he handles external factors.
In-game observations:
- At 2:18 of the 1st, although displayed confidence in puck distribution, when he got puck back, he stickhandled way too much at the blueline. Got burned, needs to be mindful of decisions.
- At 11:15 of the 1st, using his explosive footwork, performed a fast give and go play with Carbonneau, creating a lane into the o-zone with ease.
- On Moncton’s 3rd goal, Villeneuve was not urgent enough at winning a puck battle at the front of the net, resulted in Cornforth scoring.
- On Moncton’s 4th goal, Villeneuve was lackadaisical when defending the rush, allowed Mutryn to get a stick on the puck to deflect the puck in.
- Throughout the game, hasn’t utilized his strength enough in his own end, wasn’t urgent enough in his own end at winning puck battles.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 7
- Puck Skill: 7.5
- Scoring Ability: 4.5
- Playmaking Ability: 7
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 5.5
- Character: 5
- Physicality: 3.5
- Defensive Play: 4
#42 F, Vincent Desjardins
Team: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 172 lbs
Shoots: Right
DOB: September 8, 2006Overview:
His passing ability and offensive awareness are top-notch, allowing him to create high-quality scoring chances under pressure. Desjardins’ skill in threading passes through tight spaces makes him a critical asset on the powerplay as he’s an excellent choice of a player who could get in the dirty areas, specifically in-front of the net like he does on the Armada powerplay. He will though have to deeply improve his physical play as a centerman as he gets outmuscled on many instances, however, he is one of the very best on his club at being responsible by covering his teammates when needed. He wins many faceoffs, performs the little plays as well, especially board coverage which he blocks pucks from escaping. His best trait however to encompass all of his skills, is his ability to utilize his teammates, which allows him to be a Swiss army knife in any given scenario.
Player Projection
Ceiling: Middle-6 Playmaking Forward
Floor: AHL Top-6 Forward
Special Teams: PP2, PK
Production Outlook: 10~ Goals, 35-40 Points
Pick Range: Undrafted
Player Comp: Alex Kerfoot
Strengths:
- Playmaking: His ability to thread the needle is very precise, distributing pucks flat and hard.
- Offensive Awareness: Desjardins reads the play well and often lures defenders in, utilizes his teammates very well.
- Defensive Support: Desjardins demonstrates himself being sound positionally in zone coverage along with clean faceoff work.
Weakness:
- Shot Power: Although displays quickness in wrist rotation getting shots off quick, needs to put a bit more emphasis on rotating his hips for power.
- Physicality/Strength: Due to lack of strength, he can’t fully follow through on his checks with impact.
- Stride Power: Lacks emphasis on leg extensions which limits him generating top end speed.
In-Game Observations:
- At 2:15 of the 2nd period, after Carbonneau picked up the loose puck, Desjardins displayed tremendous engagement on the rush, walked into the o-zone, threaded a pass across to his defenseman in the slot for a dangerous scoring chance.
- At 4:55 of the 2nd, Desjardins playing sound in position, opened up a passing lane to Lemieux for a key scoring chance in the slot.
- At 16:53 of the 2nd, threaded the needle over to Carbonneau for a dangerous chance.
- At 9:15 of the 3rd, displayed his ability to stay sound in position to block a heavy shot, preventing chances in the slot.
- Throughout the game, although sound in position, lacked urgency to engage physically and win puck battles.
Skater Ratings:
- Skating: 5
- Puck Skill: 6
- Scoring Ability: 5
- Playmaking Ability: 6.5
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 6.5
- Character: 5
- Physicality: 3.5
- Defensive Play: 6
#16 D, Tommy Bleyl
Team: Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6”, 165 lbs
Shoots: Right
DOB: December 1st, 2007Overview:
He is a dynamic, and very fluid puck-moving defenseman who thrives with the puck and plays a confident, possession-focused game. Despite a smaller frame, he’s often Moncton’s most offensively involved blueliner, excelling in transition, and creates tremendous amounts of rushes with the use soft hands, deceptive head movement, and quick reads that create scoring chances. His skating is arguably his best trait as from step to step it is very fluid and displays excellent lateral mobility, especially showcasing 10-to-2 crossovers, allowing him to walk the blue line and sustain pressure. One small aspect that can be touched on is that he can display slightly quicker steps for higher explosion. Offensively, because of his high level of creativity, he brings a dual threat, threading passes through seams or firing accurate point shots. Defensively, his limitations show: he struggles in board battles, can be pushed off pucks, and his short reach hinders disruption, meaning he has to build a stronger core overall. While his positioning is solid, he must become more assertive in physical engagements and shot blocking.
Player Projection
Ceiling: Top 2 Offensive Defenseman
Floor: Top 4 Offensive Defenseman
Special Teams: PP1 Quarterback
Production Outlook: 10 Goals, 65~ Points
Pick Range: 35th-50th OverallPlayer Comp: Erik Karlsson/Shayne Gostisbehere
Strengths:
- Offensive Activation and Anticipation with the Puck: Displays great confidence with the puck, understands how to assess his risks in his actions with the puck.
- Reverse Skating/Lateral Movement: Smooth transitioning from one move to the next, helps him stay square in positioning when defending the rush.
- Puck Skills: Although not the fastest, he does showcases smooth hands to knife his way around the opposition in tight spaces.
Weaknesses:
- Size and Reach: Gets muscled off the puck very easily, needs to build core strength to also improve balance.
- Increase in Defensive Activation: Although pretty square in positioning and not always chasing, he needs to block shots more and getting involved more physically in the corners/board battles.
- Explosiveness: Although smooth and dynamic skating, allowing him to carve his way, can develop quicker steps in order to create himself more space.
In-Game Observations:
- At 9:00, although Bleyl needs to be a bit more mindful of positioning when he’s chasing someone, he hustled hard on Carbonneau, won possession of the puck back.
- From 17:20-17:30 of the 1st, Bleyl using his smooth yet shifty footwork, carved his way through the neutral zone into the o-zone with ease on the PP.
- At 6:10 of the 2nd, displayed his smooth lateral movement to create space at the blueline to create shooting lanes.
- At 7:45 of the 2nd, hustled hard to win puck back on the PP.
- At 11:45 of the 2nd, on the PP from his own end, decides to display his shifty skating again, exploding through the opposition into the o-zone, creating sustained pressure.
- With confidence at the blue line, Bleyl threaded the needle over to Tournas which led to Desnoyers scoring on a one-timer for Moncton’s 5th goal.
Skater Category Ratings:
- Skating: 7.5
- Puck Skill: 6.5
- Scoring Ability: 5
- Playmaking Ability: 7
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 6
- Character: 5
- Physicality: 3.5
- Defensive Play: 4.5
#18 F, Caleb Desnoyers
Team: Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 180Ibs
Shoots: Left
DOB April 11th, 2007
Overview:
Caleb Desnoyers is a dynamic two-way/playmaking centerman with a complete game that blends offensive creativity, physicality, and defensive awareness. His exceptional playmaking and vision on the ice when it comes to understanding the positioning of his teammates is one of, if not his strongest attribute. He demonstrates solid puck skills and persistence, maintaining control under pressure due to him understanding how to use his frame very well. While his shot is powerful but less consistent than his passing, Desnoyers forces goaltenders to stay sharp with his strong pass-to-shot ratio. Defensively, he excels in positioning, faceoffs, and as mentioned, using his size effectively. However, his edgework needs improvement, as slow pivots and transitioning in tight spaces provides him some difficulty when it comes to generating explosiveness.
Player Projection
Ceiling: 1st Line Defensive Center
Floor: Top 6 Forward
Special Teams: PK1 / PP
Production Outlook: 60–70 Points
Pick Range: 4th Overall
Player Comp: Jonathan Toews
Strengths:
- Playmaking and Offensive Awareness: Exceptional vision and anticipation make him a key offensive facilitator.
- Defensive Awareness: Consistently positions himself well and disrupts plays with interceptions and shot blocks.
- Puck Protection and Physicality: Uses his size effectively to shield the puck and deliver impactful checks.
Weaknesses:
- Edgework and Agility: Struggles with quick turns and maintaining momentum, providing himself no assistance in creating himself more space in shorter time periods.
- Shooting Consistency: While powerful, his shot can miss the net at times and lacks the precision of his passing.
- Slow Pace of Play: While powerful, his shot can miss the net at times and lacks the precision of his passing.
In-Game Observations:
- At 19:45 of the 1st, playing sound in position, was easily able to take advantage of Carbonneau, intercepting the puck, created a 3-on-2, dropped the puck to Voronin for a dangerous scoring chance late.
- At 1:20 of the 2nd period, while Desnoyers understood his role of being the center, he was playing a bit too low, giving all of the space to Gill for him to walk in and shoot.
- At 10:20 of the 2nd, displayed subtle yet quick vision by setting up a tic-tac-toe play which almost ended up being a goal on the PP.
- At 12:05 of the 2nd, in the offensive zone, was patiently persistent on the loose puck, became active when it was loose, crisply feeding it to a wide-open Gabe Smith for Moncton’s 2nd goal.
- At 1:30 of the 3rd, displayed sound positioning on the PP, scored on a quick one-timer.
Skater Category Summarization:
- Skating: 5
- Puck Skill: 6
- Scoring Ability: 5.5
- Playmaking Ability: 7
- Hockey Sense/IQ: 7
- Character: 6
- Physicality: 6
- Defensive Play: 7
#86 F, Niko Tournas
Team: Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200Ibs
Shoots: Right
DOB February 17th, 2006
Overview:
Defined by his poised awareness, he drives play with pressure on the opposition due to his quickness in his footwork and the way he reads the play. What needs work in his skating however is that his mechanical stride is lacking as he lacks putting major emphasis on his leg extensions as he doesn’t appear as fast as he should on the ice. His hands need slight work as he displays the quickness to perform dekes, though he needs to develop stronger control. Offensively, his shot is his best trait as he really puts emphasis in using his lower body but most importantly, does not take much time as he can shoot it very quick not even controlling the puck. Defensively, he’s reliable enough where he will make the proper read and create counter attacks, though he isn’t the most willing to sacrifice the body which is something for him that is key. That is to utilize his frame for the NHL level. He does display great hustle on a few occasions which allows him to draw penalties.
Player Projection:
Ceiling: Middle 6 Scoring Winger
Floor: AHL 1st Line Forward
-
2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Marcus Nordmark (LW)
Marcus Nordmark is a player I go back and forth on because the skill level is genuinely
sensational, but there are a lot of red flags in his overall game. He has elite hands and is a
high-end passer, one of the most naturally gifted playmakers in this class, able to manipulate
defenders and find seams with ease, and when he does get moving, he has good quickness.
He is a pass-first winger who can slow the game down and create off his vision, often finding
space in the offensive zone despite tending to operate more on the perimeter. That said, the
compete level is a major concern. He does not engage physically, goes into puck battles
softly without much intent to win them, and rarely uses his frame, which leads to him losing a
lot of those situations. His motor is inconsistent and he can look nonchalant both with and
without the puck, at times relying too heavily on his skill and passing ability instead of
continuing to move his feet. Defensively, he is a liability right now, with poor habits like
skating away from puck races and lacking urgency in coverage. There are shifts where he
looks like a top-end offensive talent, and others where he is barely involved. I am still a
believer because the skill is top notch, but it is frustrating to watch at times, and the
inconsistency raises real questions. For me, the projection comes with risk, likely a little past
the mid-first round at this stage, with top-six winger potential if it all clicks, a stylistic profile
closer to a modern-day Jonathan Drouin, but with a ceiling that could resemble Jonathan
Huberdeau in my opinion. -
2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Oliver Suvanto (C)
Projection: Middle 6 Forward
Note: He has played on the wing this year in the Liiga, but can play
center pretty effectively, too
Strengths: Size, Two-way play, Compete
Weaknesses: Skating, creativity, and playmakingAnalysis:
Oliver Suvanto is a very good two-way forward. He makes use of his
incredible size to hold his own against the men of the Finnish Liiga.
Defending pucks, board battles, and getting pucks back, he uses his
body to properly box out defenders and use his size to his advantage.
This, paired with his above-average defensive instincts, helping the
defenseman below the hash marks when needed, great use of his long
reach to disrupt passing lanes, and his ability and willingness to
block shots, makes him an excellent candidate to translate his game to
the next level. He also plays with heart. He doesn’t take a shift for
granted, playing at one hundred percent and truly giving it his all
whenever he steps on the ice.His main drawback for me is his skating and playmaking abilities. For
being the size that he is, he obviously won’t be the fastest skater in
the world, but his stride isn’t that fine-tuned either. I find it
clunky and choppy, obviously something that can be worked on, but as a
current asset, it’s something that falls short. I also find he lacks
any creative spark and play-making abilities. He may be really smart
and think the game well, but he struggles to translate that to his
stick. His passes aren’t always crisp or go where they’re intended, he
might hold on to the puck a second too long and have the lane close on
him, or he might just not see the right play entirely. Nevertheless,
his playmaking attributes really need some work in my eyes.