2026 NHL Draft: Reimer’s Final Ranking Top 96 – The Hockey Writers –

7. Alberts Šmits, LD, EHC München (DEL)

Alberts Šmits has a chaotic approach to the game, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. He’ll challenge anyone with the puck, and his long reach and surprising mobility make him very difficult to play against. But he’s not all over the ice, just trying to cause disruption. He’s smart with his engagement, and that made the Latvians very difficult to handle at the 2026 World Championship, where they finished in sixth. There are very few players like him, and although he’s raw, especially in the defensive zone, he might have the highest potential outside of the top five picks.

8. Keaton Verhoeff, RD, U. North Dakota (NCAA)

Keaton Verhoeff was at one time in the running for first overall, but slipped out of the conversation after a slow start to his college career. However, once he got going, he re-established himself as one of the best defencemen in this draft class, finishing with 20 points in 36 games. He was also one of the youngest players in the NCAA this season, and was starting to show some of that impossibly high potential as a top-pairing, two-way monster. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went higher than eighth, but with some concerns over his mobility, I’m a little more excited about the players above him at this time.

9. Daxon Rudolph, RD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Daxon Rudolph was already a highly-touted defenceman before having a playoff run for the ages. The Prince Albert Raiders’ defender led the league with 27 points and helped his team make the WHL Final for the first time since 2019. He’s a fantastic distributor with excellent vision, often acting as a fourth forward, pinching up and screening the goalie for his teammates, and is just as good in transition. But he’s no slouch on defence, either, and he relies on his strong positioning and awareness to cut off scoring chances and create turnovers. To top it off, he’s a strong skater with high-end mobility, which has earned him comparisons to Zach Werenski, who just won the NHL’s Norris Trophy. Not a bad player to aspire to be.

10. Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)

After an OK NCAA debut, Tynan Lawrence reestablished himself as the second-best centre available at the U18 World Championship, where he finished second on Team Canada with six points in five games and shone as a cerebral tactician. He’s a brilliant playmaker who shines when controlling the flow of the game, but also has a great two-way presence and has never been afraid of a challenge, even though he’s not an overly physical player. He’ll be one to watch next season, now that he has a bit of familiarity with college hockey.

11. Ryan Lin, RD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Ryan Lin is possibly the best skater of his draft class. He has an effortless stride, excellent four-way mobility, high-end speed, and impossibly quick directional changes. He also processes the game faster than most, making him a fantastic quarterback on offence. Despite playing on a weaker Vancouver Giants team, he finished 11th in the WHL among defencemen with 57 points in 53 games, earning him a spot on Team Canada at the U18s, where he tied Lawrence with six points in five games. It’s easy to see Quinn Hughes’ influence on his game, which should make teams very excited about what’s to come.

12. Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71 (SHL)

Malte Gustafsson was one of the biggest risers to finish the season, wowing scouts with his combination of size and skating at the U18s. The 6-foot-4 defender led Sweden’s defence at the tournament with five points in six games, showcasing his high-end mobility and surprising ability to catch teammates across the rink with incredible breakout passes. Like Reid, he uses quick pivots and subtle shifts to draw in attackers, creating room for his teammates to get a shot or two off, although his offensive upside isn’t as high. Gustafsson’s intelligence, vision, and two-way game were a big reason why his team kept him in Sweden’s top league for longer than any other U18 defender, which is a great sign for his future in the NHL.

13. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

There are several intriguing power forwards up for the 2026 NHL Draft, but Ethan Belchetz is the best of the group. His offensive tools are evident after finishing with 34 goals and 59 points in 57 games this season, but what makes him so effective is his defensive engagement. He is just as aggressive without the puck as he is with it, always looking to force players to turn the puck over with big hits and an active stick, and he uses his long reach and wingspan to make life miserable for his opponents. His skating will need to improve before he reaches the NHL, but it’s far from bad, especially considering his size.

14. Wyatt Cullen, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone more intense on offence than Wyatt Cullen. He charges into the attacking zone with the puck and stays with it even if his first, second, or third scoring attempts are blocked. With excellent speed and deception, he’s difficult to pin down, too, meaning that he often gets multiple chances to score, despite the opposing team standing in his way. While the U.S. National Team wasn’t as strong this season, he proved his skill at the U18s, where he finished third in the tournament with nine points. He’s also grown six inches over the past two years, giving him the rare combination of a small player’s speed and skill and a big player’s strength. He could be 2026’s Beckett Sennecke.

15. Alexander Command, C, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)

There’s very little that Alexander Command can’t do. He’s an excellent offensive presence, finishing with 17 goals and 44 points in 30 games in Sweden’s U20 league before adding another 13 points in 14 playoff games. He blends high-end energy and competitiveness with great puck protection techniques, allowing him to command the play. He’s also excellent away from the puck, bringing a lot of energy and intelligence on defence. Better yet, he can do everything quicker than most of his peers, both in straight-line speed and when changing directions. He’s truly an all-around forward, and while his upside isn’t as high as Stenberg or Björck’s, he has one of the highest floors of anyone outside the top five.

16. Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

Oliver Suvanto has really grown on me over the year. He’s a big, powerful centre who uses his 6-foot-3 frame well to establish position and is nearly impossible to move once he does. His skating has also improved over the season, giving him significantly more two-way mobility, and he’s very strong on his skates, pushing through opponents en route to the net. It’s still an area that needs work, but it was good enough to keep him in Finland’s Liiga for 48 games, the most of any U18 player. I also really like his shot and puck control, giving him a good offensive base to build on as he grows.

17. Oscar Hemming, F, Boston College (NCAA)

Like Lawrence, Oscar Hemming didn’t have the smoothest transition to the NCAA, finishing with just one goal and eight points in 19 games, but for a player who wasn’t playing from August to December because of a legal dispute with his former Finnish club, he bounced back incredibly well. He’s shown an aggressive, all-around game, using his size and strength to create opportunities for his teammates. He’s still very raw, but with the longest wingspan at the combine, he has some very intriguing tools.

18. Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

When Nikita Klepov has the puck, there are few in the OHL better than him. He’s not just a creative puck handler with a snappy shot that can beat most goalies, but is also one of the most aggressive players in the offensive zone, refusing to give up until the puck is on his stick. The one big concern is his play away from the puck, as he almost looks disengaged if he’s not actively creating offence. Still, he led the OHL with 97 points and was just two shy of hitting 40 goals, and the upside might outweigh the risk he brings.

19. Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

Adam Novotny is the embodiment of intensity. He never gives up on a play and will fight for the puck no matter who he is up against. He wins a lot of his battles, too, as he is excellent at controlling and protecting the puck once he has it on his stick. As a rookie, he led the Peterborough Petes with 34 goals and 64 points and quickly earned the trust of his coaches, who deployed him in every situation, from killing penalties to quarterbacking power plays. I’ve previously compared him to Braeden Cootes due to his work ethic and ability to create things out of thin air, but he sees himself more as a Mason McTavish-type. Either way, he’s well on his way to a great NHL career.

20. Elton Hermansson, RW, MoDo (Allsvenskan)

Elton Hermansson is a wizard with the puck. He’s very creative with where he chooses to fire a shot or make a pass, and his ability to see the ice makes others better around him. He finished second in tournament scoring with 11 points at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup early this season, then led the U18s with 12 points. He doggedly fights for loose pucks, showing an offensive drive only bested by Cullen. However, he hasn’t shown as much intensity in the defensive end, and while he may not need to be a well-rounded two-way forward, he could really improve his overall impact if he committed to the defensive side just a bit more.

21. Ilia Morozov, C, Miami University (Ohio) (NCAA)

Ilia Morozov has one of the best defensive minds among forwards in his class. He cuts off passing lanes with quick, calculated movements and uses his 6-foot-3 frame to push opponents to the outside of the play and aggressively pressures shooters into making mistakes. Yet he still finished his freshman season with 20 points in 36 games, showing a solid offensive skill set, especially when he’s in front of the net. He needs to improve his confidence with the puck and his top speed, but he already has a highly refined two-way game with a strong stride and excellent work ethic. And somehow, he won’t turn 18 until August.

22. Xavier Villeneuve, LD, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Xavier Villeneuve has all the skills you want from a smaller player. He’s a great skater with excellent speed and displays high intelligence when manipulating the puck and driving the play. Despite missing nearly half the season, he still finished with over a point per game and didn’t look at all out of place once the playoffs began, putting up 14 points in 17 games. He still needs to add quite a bit of strength so he isn’t muscled out of his defensive assignments, but his upside might make the risk work it.

23. Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Jack Hextall can do a little bit of everything, and he can do it well. He’s fast, has great vision for playmaking, a strong shot, has a good two-way game, is highly competitive, and loves to throw big hits when he can. While he hasn’t rediscovered his lofty AAA offensive totals yet, he’s got everything else in place, which might mean a big breakout is coming. Don’t sleep too long on him.

24. Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Mark Schieg’s Steal of the 2026 Draft was once considered a lock for the top 10, but Mathis Preston has since fallen out of favour due to some inconsistencies in his game. However, there are few better than him when it comes to pure skill with the puck. On a Giants’ squad that lacked offence, he still put up over a point per game in his 10 games there and was one of Canada’s best forwards at the U18s in April. He blends creativity with explosive speed, and while he’s still developing, his upside is through the roof.

25. Gleb Pugachyov, RW, Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)

Gleb Pugachyov is very much a boom-or-bust prospect, but I still love what he brings to the ice. He’s a physical, highly-engaged forward who processes the game very quickly, allowing him to make split-second decisions and capitalize on mistakes before anyone else. He’s quick, too, although he doesn’t have the prettiest skating stride. Pugachyov spent most of his season in the MHL, which is hard to evaluate, but he managed to sneak into 13 KHL games, where he scored two goals, the most of any U18 player in the league. That’s a good sign of things to come.

26. Juho Piiparinen, RD, Tappara (Liiga)

Every team needs a reliable shutdown defender, and there isn’t any better at the 2026 Draft than Juho Piiparinen. He plays a calm, mature game, making smart, simple choices that often result in success. That’s earned him a lot of trust back home. His 29 games were the second-most of any U18 player this season, and he was chosen to serve as team captain at the U18 World Juniors, and was the only 17-year-old defenceman on Finland’s U20 roster. While offence isn’t his forte, he’s still been a solid puck-mover for Tappara and demonstrated some underrated creativity with his choices. It would be nice to see him add another level in his skating and offensive game, but if not, he still could play in the NHL very soon.

27. William Håkansson, LD, Luleå HF U20 (Nationell)

William Håkansson is another reliable defensive defenceman with high-end mobility, but what sets him apart is his ability to respond to changes in the play faster than anyone else. He makes quick, confident decisions when facing an opponent, and his feet work almost as quickly, allowing him to follow the most elusive skaters step-for-step. If he can’t, his long reach is sure to clean up the rest, and at 6-foot-4, not many players can get around him cleanly. He’s strong, too, and while he doesn’t play an overly physical game, he has an edge and isn’t afraid of throwing a big hit from time to time. He plays a pro-style game that gives him a very high floor, and some additional puck skills would take him to the next level.

28. Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Liam Ruck was one of the WHL’s best snipers this season, showing off his powerful shot 45 times this season and another eight times in the WHL playoffs. He’s very smart at where he positions himself in front of the net, and while he was more effective with his twin brother, Markus, he still found success when on other lines. He needs to get quicker to fully unlock his potential, but a lot of tools are there to be a valuable middle-six scoring winger.

29. Adam Valentini, F, U. Michigan (NCAA)

Brandon Naurato, the University of Michigan’s head coach, has frequently said that star rookie Adam Valentini is “like a dog with a bone,” and it’s easy to see why. Valentini will challenge just about anyone, no matter how much bigger they are than the 5-foot-10 Michigan freshman, and he packs a surprising punch for his size. If he’s knocked down, he pops right back up, ready for another fight. But he won’t beat you in a fight; instead, he’ll outskate and outwork you, which is why he led all U18 players in the NCAA with 27 points in 40 games. Still largely underrated, he’s done everything he should to be a first-round pick.

30. Tommy Bleyl, RD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

In my last ranking, I placed Tommy Bleyl in the middle of the second round. Now, he’s practically a lock for the first. The Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League’s (QMJHL) Defenceman and Rookie of the Year was unstoppable this season, finishing eighth in league scoring and with an 11-point game over the next highest-scoring defenceman, then put up 28 points in 21 playoff games, the third-highest total from any player. He’s solid on defence, too, and although he got pushed around a bit because of his size and lack of strength, he’s a good enough skater to avoid a lot of issues.

31. J.P. Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

I really wanted to put J.P. Hurlbert higher. He’s one of the best pure snipers of his draft class, putting away 42 goals in his first season in the WHL, and is incredibly smart with his puck movement and offensive zone positioning. My only issue was that he doesn’t look like he wants to play defence. Granted, most players don’t, but his lack of effort away from the puck is concerning. It’s similar to Klepov, but he also isn’t as good a skater as his OHL counterpart, which is why I have him at the tail end of my first round.

32. Simas Ignatavicius, RW, Geneve (NL)

While Simas Ignatavicius isn’t flashy, he knows how to get the job done. He makes smart decisions about when and where to engage, already demonstrating a pro-style game. A great skater, he flies around the ice, putting himself in the best position to help his team, and can either set up or finish a play. His 13 points were the highest among 18-year-olds in Switzerland’s National League (NL), and his seven goals placed him eighth on his team. He may not have as high a ceiling as some others, but he has a very high floor, making him a relatively safe pick to close out the first round.

Second Round

33. Jaxon Cover, LW, London Knights (OHL)

34. Thomas Vandenberg, C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

35. Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

36. Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)

37. Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djugårdens IF U20 (Nationell)

38. Nikita Shcherbakov, LD, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)

39. Ben MacBeath, LD, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

40. Yegor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

41. Adam Goljer, RD, HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)

42. Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

43. Tomas Chrenko, C, HK Nitra (Slovakia)

44. Markus Ruck, F, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

45. Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

46. Brek Liske, RD, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

47. Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

48. Jakub Vanecek, LD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

49. Zach Olsen, RW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

50. Casey Mutryn, F, USA U18 (NTDP)

51. Ryder Cali, C, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

52. Victor Plante, LW, USA U18 (NTDP) 

53. Viktor Fyodorov, C, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

54. Adam Nemec, LW, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

55. Dmitri Borichev, G, Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)

56. Matias Vanhanen, LW, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

57. Adam Andersson, C, Leksands IF U20 (U20 Nationell)

58. Alex Elofsson, RD, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)

59. Alexander Bilecki, LD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

60. Filip Novák, F, HC Sparta Praha (Czechia)

61. Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

62. Julian Maze, LW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

63. Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

64. Casper Juustovaara Karlsson, C/LW, Luleå HF (SHL)

Third Round

65. Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

66. Luke Schairer, RD, USA U18 (USHL)

67. Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, F, Leksand (SHL)

68. Tyus Sparks, RW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

69. Mikey Berchild, LW, USA U18 (NTDP) 

70. Wiggo Sörensson, C, Boro/Vetlanda HC (HockeyTvåan)

71. Lavr Gashilov, C, Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)

72. Ethan MacKenzie, LD, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

73. Giogos Pantelas, RD, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

74. Timofei Runtso, RD, Victoria Royals (WHL)

75. Ludvig Andersson, C/LW, Örebro HK U20 (U20 Nationell)

76. Maksim Sokolovskii, LD, London Knights (OHL)

77. Liam Lefebvre, RW, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)

78. Lars Steiner, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)

79. Blake Zielinski, F, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

80. Oscar Holmertz, C, Linköping HC U20 (Nationell)

81. Landon Amrhein, LW, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

82. Vilho Vanhatalo, RW/LW, Tappara (Liiga)

83. Vertti Svensk, LD, SaiPa (Liiga)

84. Rian Chudzinski, RW, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

85. Michal Orsulak, G, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

86. Samu Alalauri, RD, Pelicans U20 (SM-sarja)

87. Yaroslav Fedoseyev, RD, Chelyabinsk (KHL)

88. Chase Harrington, LW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

89. Parker Trottier, F, USA U18 (USHL)

90. Vladimir Dravecky, RD, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

91. Ryan Brown, LW, London Knights (OHL)

92. Evan Jardine, F, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

93. Egor Barabonov, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

94. Tobias Tvrznik, G, Wenatchee Wild (WHL)

95. Jonah Sivertson, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

96. William Lacelle, G, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)