DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Tag: Nikita Klepov

  • 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Report – Nikita Klepov (LW) 

    Nikita Klepov had an electric rookie year at both the OHL and international levels, transitioning into a top six role with Saginaw seamlessly after playing a depth role in the USHL last season. His electric puck skills and aggressive mentality carried over from a strong Hlinka Gretzky tournament in the preseason, quickly developing chemistry with a veteran Spirit roster and producing consistently en route to leading the OHL in points. 

    An electric puck carrier and playmaker, Klepov has elite offensive instincts and an attacking, aggressive mindset that belies his average frame and strength. His ability to make defenders miss and create space for himself despite choppy strides and average foot speed is key to his offensive consistency. He also processes the game quickly, making smart, creative plays with the puck the showing the ability to fight through contact to get to high-danger areas of the offensive zone. While his frame and skating currently hold him back from making a big impact on the rush and in the defensive zone, he doesn’t shy away from physical play and his quick-strike offensive capabilities make him a threat at all times. His offensive potential at the NHL level is at a top six level, but his top-end speed and play off the puck could depress his draft stock a bit despite his high-end production. To me, he’s still firmly in the conversation as a prospect in the latter half of the first round.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    The playoffs for prospects across the hockey world are now underway, marking a critical stretch where players can separate themselves from the rest of the draft class with standout performances in high-pressure games. This week’s draft-eligible three stars feature a Swedish center on fire in his junior club’s postseason after his pro season ended; a Western Hockey League (WHL) defender who piled up goals in the regular season and continues to do so in the playoffs; and a dynamic Ontario Hockey League (OHL) center who continues to drive one of the most dangerous teams in Canadian major junior hockey.

    Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of March 23 to 30.

    Viggo Björck | C | Djurgårdens IF (SHL)

    Swedish center Viggo Björck wrapped up his first full professional season with respectable totals for an 18-year-old with a March birthday. While his stat line — 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 42 SHL games — doesn’t jump off the page, the Stockholm native was a force at the World Junior Championships, recording nine points (three goals, six assists) for the gold medal-winning squad. Björck also earned increased ice time as the season progressed and was playing a top-line role by the playoffs.

    Despite producing at a point-per-game pace in Djurgårdens’ three-game first-round series against Malmö, Björck and his team were eliminated. That allowed the eighth-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Rankings to join the club’s U20 team, which remained in the playoff hunt. The 5-foot-10 center made an immediate impact in the quarterfinals, helping the team advance to the semifinals.

    In Game 1, Björck recorded a power-play assist midway through the second period as Djurgårdens cruised to a 3-0 win. In Game 2, the IFK Täby product added a secondary assist on the opening goal before sealing a 4-1 victory with an empty-net tally. With a chance to clinch the series in Game 3, Björck delivered his best performance.

    The 2025 U-18 IIHF World Championship silver medalist opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game with a deft backhand finish. He added an assist in the second period as his team built a 3-1 lead, then capped off the win with a power-play one-timer into a nearly empty net. Despite appearing in just three games, Björck leads the league in postseason points per game.

    Daxon Rudolph | RHD | Prince Albert Raiders

    Daxon Rudolph’s calling card in his draft season has been his goal-scoring ability. The WHL sophomore led Canadian major junior defensemen eligible for the draft with 28 goals—eight more than Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound blueliner also added 50 assists, finishing second in CHL scoring among draft-eligible players behind Tommy Bleyl of the Moncton Wildcats.

    The 10th-ranked skater on the Draft Prospects Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Rankings has carried that production into the postseason, facing the Red Deer Rebels in the opening round.

    In Game 1, Rudolph helped facilitate strong puck movement on the power play, earning a secondary assist on a goal by Vancouver Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes. Early in the second period, Rudolph jumped into the play, initially firing a shot for a potential tip before circling the net and burying the rebound into a nearly empty net. The goal stood as the game-winner in a 4-1 victory.

    Rudolph stayed hot in Game 2 as the Raiders defended home ice. After a scoreless first period, he helped spark the offense in the second, holding the line to keep a play alive before setting up Ben Harvey for a goal.

    Later in the period, while killing a penalty, Cootes intercepted a pass and spotted Rudolph streaking through the neutral zone. The defender took the pass in stride and wired a wrist shot over the goaltender’s glove. He later added another power-play assist, bringing his total to five points through two games.

    Caleb Malhotra | C | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

    Caleb Malhotra played a key role in helping the Brantford Bulldogs finish atop the OHL standings this season. He ranked second on the team in scoring behind Seattle Kraken prospect Jake O’Brien, posting 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists). That total also placed him second among draft-eligible OHL players, trailing only Saginaw Spirit forward Nikita Kelpov. The son of longtime NHLer and current AHL coach Manny Malhotra has firmly established himself as one of the top centers in the 2026 draft class.

    Malhotra has carried that momentum into the playoffs, recording four points through two games in the opening round.

    In Game 1, the former Chilliwack Chief extended his team’s lead to 3-0 in the second period, capitalizing on a rebound during a power play. He struck again later in the frame, picking off a clearing attempt and wiring a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle to make it 5-2. The Bulldogs went on to win 6-2.

    Malhotra remained a difference-maker in Game 2. On an early power play, Marek Vanacker recovered a broken play and found Malhotra alone at the backdoor for an easy tap-in to open the scoring. Later, with under five minutes remaining in the second period, Malhotra led the rush and threaded a pass across the zone to Cooper Dennis, who quickly set up a teammate in front to restore the lead. The Bulldogs added an empty-net goal late to secure a 2-0 series advantage.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    The postseason has arrived for some prospects, while the chase to the end of the regular season has just wrapped up for others. This week’s draft-eligible three-stars highlights a Swedish winger who flourished in his team’s first round of the playoffs, an Ontario Hockey League winger helping his squad in the final push, and a Swiss forward who hasn’t let injuries get in the way of a productive draft year.

    Marcus Nordmark | RW | Djurgårdens IF U20 (U20 Nationell)

    Swedish winger Marcus Nordmark is having a very productive draft year. The 16th-ranked skater on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings put up 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 25 games to lead all draft-eligible players in his league with more than 10 games played in points per game with 1.52. He also got into eight SHL games, producing an assist.

    The 6-foot-2, 187-pound Stockholm native was instrumental in helping his squad advance to the quarterfinals of the playoffs. After falling in the first game of the five-game series, Nordmark registered a goal and two assists as his team drew back even in the series with a 4-3 win. The 17-year-old was all over the ice in game three, picking up two goals and two helpers in a 5-4 loss.

    Nordmark was held off the scoresheet in game four, but his team managed to secure a 3-0 win. In the series finale, the Swede showed off his playmaking prowess with a trio of assists as his squad triumphed 6-5 in overtime. His 11 points in five playoff games is tied for second in the league.

    Pierce Mbuyi | LW | Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

    Pierce Mbuyi was one of the most productive draft-eligible players in the OHL this season with 75 points (32 goals, 43 assists), finishing third behind Nikita Kleepov and Caleb Malhotra. The second-year forward was an offensive catalyst for the Attack, leading the team in scoring by 11 points.

    The Attack remained in a battle for playoff seeding up until the final regular season game, and Mbuyi played a big part in helping to secure the sixth spot in the OHL’s Western Conference. Opening the week on a March Break Wednesday, Mbuyi picked up an assist before scoring the game winner in the third period in a 4-3 win over the Flint Firebirds. The Attack fell behind 2-0 quickly to the Guelph Storm in the second matchup of its week. Mbuyi had a pair of assists in the attempt to rally back, but Owen Sound fell 6-3.

    In the last game of the regular season, Mbyui scored on the power play as the Attack built a big lead in the second period. The Attack surrendered the lead with the Kitchener Rangers storming back to tie the game at 7 late in the third period. The 5-foot-11 winger picked up a secondary assist as the Attack snuck away in overtime.

    Lars Steiner | RW | Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

    Despite missing time in his draft year due to an upper body injury, Swiss winger Lars Steiner enjoyed a successful draft year in the QMJHL. In 44 games, the 17th-ranked skater on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Ranking, scored 30 goals which was fourth among draft-eligible players in that league despite playing at minimum 18 fewer games than those ahead of him.

    The HC Davos product tied a career high with five points in the week’s opening game. The 5-foot-10 former All-CHL Rookie Team member got his night going with a secondary assist on a power play goal. He then had a natural hat trick with a goal at the end of the first period and a pair in the second. He added a power play goal in the third as the Huskies ran away with a 9-0 win.

    Steiner had a lone assist in his team’s second game of the week.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    While most of the hockey world was locked on the Olympic tournament in Milan over the last couple of weeks, prospects across the globe continued to play games. In this week’s draft-eligible three stars, a prospective number one overall pick in 2026 shows why he still deserves the hype, a Russian winger makes his first appearance after a productive week, and a Czech winger reaches a big milestone as his strong season continues.

    Gavin McKenna | LW | Penn State (NCAA)

    Gavin McKenna may not have the firm grip on being the first overall pick in 2026 as it seemed to be prophesied, with challengers in Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg and Canadian NCAA defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, but the phenom is doing everything he can to remind people why he got that distinction in the first place.

    The former CHL Player of the Year was downright dominant this week in a pair of games against Ohio State, picking up 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in two games. The Whitehorse, YT, native had a night for the ages. With five primary assists, two secondary helpers, and a goal, McKenna set program records for most points and assists in a game. The former Medicine Hat Tiger is the first player to have eight or more points in a single game against another Division 1 program since Bob Joyce had nine points in a game on Jan 2, 1987.

    The number one overall ranked player on the Draft Prospect Hockey 2026 NHL Draft Rankings followed up his historic night with eight shots on goal in almost 27 and a half minutes of ice time. He sent a perfect backdoor slap pass for a helper on Penn State’s third goal in the comeback from down 4-2. The freshman made an Ohio State defender look silly before he sniped the overtime winner over the blocker to complete the rally.

    Oleg Kulebyakin | LW | Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

    Russian winger Oleg Kulebyakin leads the Halifax Mooseheads in points with 60 (26 goals, 34 assists) in 55 games and is fourth in league scoring among 2026 draft-eligible prospects. The St. Petersburg native is no stranger to North American hockey, having come to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights during the 2023-24 season and staying since.

    The University of Massachusetts commit for 2027-28 was the number 68 ranked skater on the NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Ranking for North American skaters. The Lincoln Stars alumnus picked up at least a point in all four games this week for a total of nine points (three goals, six assists).

    After a pair of two-point outings to start the week, he notched one goal in a 7-4 loss to Drummondville before his signature game of the period. Kulebyakin was named the first star while registering four points (one goal, three assists) against the Rimouski Oceanic. After falling behind 1-0, the Mooseheads headed to the power play, where Kulebyakin set up the first of seven unanswered goals for the visitors. He set up a second power play marker in the third period. With 51 seconds left to go in the game, Kulebyakin found himself open in the slot and picked the corner with a wrist shot to make it 7-1.

    Adam Novotný | LW | Peterborough Petes (OHL)

    Czech winger Adam Novotný continues to impress in his first season of North American hockey. The slick shooter is third in the OHL among draft-eligible players in goals with 30, behind only Nikita Klepov (33) of the Saginaw Spirit and Ethan Belchetz (32) of the Windsor Spitfires. Novotný, who served as the captain for Team East, was sensational in January at the Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game with a pair of goals.

    The Hradec Kralove, Czechia, native opened the week on Family Day with a goal and an assist to earn first-star honors in a 3-2 shootout win for the Petes over the Kitchener Rangers. He followed it up with a goal on a great individual effort to pot a goal with just under two minutes left in the contest against the North Bay Battalion to make it 5-4 in a game the Petes would ultimately fall in. The former Mountfield HK player added a goal and an assist in his team’s third contest of the week against the Brampton Steelheads.

    Novotný saved his best for last, helping the Petes in a big way to take down the Brantford Bulldogs on Sunday. Early in the first period, the 6-foot-1 winger swiped down a clearing attempt by the Bulldogs and stepped in to snipe a wrist shot off the bar and in to open the scoring. He continued to hound the Bulldogs all game with nine shots, but none was bigger than his overtime winner. With the Petes on the power play, Novotný took a pass before a couple of strides and picked his spot with a seeing-eye wrist shot over the glove of David Egorov.

  • Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars

    The road towards the 2026 NHL draft continues to narrow as the season inches closer to the end. June will be here before we know it, and before that, prospects across the world will be proving they deserve to have their names called by an NHL team. This week’s three stars feature two Americans who powered their American Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team to a pair of wins this week and a Western Hockey League winger in the middle of a breakout.

    Egor Barabanov | C | Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

    Egor Barabanov is enjoying a banner rookie season in the OHL. The Anaheim, CA, native is third in league scoring with 72 points (25 goals, 47 assists), behind only teammate Nikita Klepov and New York Rangers prospect Nathan Aspinall. The 19-year-old, who spent part of four seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Sioux Falls Stampede and the Madison Capitals, was the 39th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting on its Mid-Term Rankings.

    Barabanov opened the week with a two-goal game against the Flint Firebirds in a 5-4 win. He scored a power play goal in the second period to take a 3-2 lead. He doubled down in the third period, scoring his 23rd goal of the season to tie the game at 4.

    The 6-foot, 181-pound forward followed that up with a career-high six points (one goal, five assists) in an 11-3 drubbing of the Sarnia Sting. Barabanov had three assists in the first period as the Spirit jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first period. He added a pair of helpers in the second before notching the 11th goal for his squad in the third.

    The Anaheim Junior Ducks product polished off the week with a goal and assist in a 4-2 loss to the Windsor Spitfires.

    Nikita Klepov | RW | Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

    The Saginaw Spirit has one of the most dominant duos of draft-eligible players between Nikita Kelpov and Barabanov. The American OHL rookies sit at numbers two and three in league scoring. Klepov was a first-round pick of the Spirit in the 2025 CHL Import Draft after scoring 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 59 games with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. The 6-foot, 181-pound winger is the 38th-ranked skater on Draft Prospect Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings.

    The Deerfield Beach, FL, native began the week potting a goal and three assists as the Spirit knocked off its American rival, the Flint Firebirds, 5-4. Klepov was all over the scoresheet again with another four-point outing against the Sarnia Sting. He finished the weekend with a lone assist in Saginaw’s 4-2 loss to the Windsor Spitfires.

    Beckett Hamilton | RW | Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

    Red Deer Rebels winger Beckett Hamilton loves to shoot the puck. The Humboldt, SK, native is averaging a team-high seven shots per game with an average of 3.9 shots on goal per game. Hamilton is on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and 172 pounds, but that nose for the net should get fans and scouts excited. The 17-year-old has blown by his rookie point totals. After posting 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 67 games in 2024-25, Hamilton is already at 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 52 games in 2025-26.

    Hamilton led all draft-eligible players this week in shots on goal with 24 in three games. He opened up with seven shots on goal while picking up an assist in a 6-3 loss to the Everett Silvertips. The 75th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting had a pair of goals and assists for four points, including a helper on the overtime winner, as the Rebels eked out a 5-4 overtime win against the Medicine Hat Tigers. He wrapped up the weekend registering 10 shots on goal but not picking up any points in a 4-3 overtime win against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.