Theodor Knights – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Theodor Knights

2025-26 Team: MoDo Hockey U20 (U20 Nationell)
Date of Birth: Jan. 30, 2008
Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden
Ht: 6-foot-4 Wt: 207 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Defenseman
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

Theodor Knights’ profile is all about what he could be. He already has great size, at 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, and he has the makings of a stellar shutdown defenseman. However, his time with MoDo Hockey has shown a one-dimensional game. He had just two points in 24 games, with a staggering 78 penalty minutes, by far the highest on his team.

He uses his frame well. He has a long reach, physical presence, and the tenacity to win puck battles. Offensively, he doesn’t overcomplicate his game; he makes simple passes from the point and doesn’t try anything that could lead to bad turnovers. He has shown he knows his role.

“I’m a defensive defenseman who puts the team first. I’m a team player in all areas of the game,” Knights told The Hockey News. “My skating, my size, and my physicality. That physical element is what I’m good at and what I really emphasize. I also think penalty kill is one of my strengths, taking away as much time as possible and getting in lanes.”

However, the concerns with his offensive game are obvious. Knights doesn’t generate any offensive production through assists or shots from the point. When he is physically engaged, his decision-making is questionable and can lead to turnovers. His skating is great in a north-south game, but his edge-work and east-west skating could use some improvement, especially when adjusting to the speed of the NHL.

Knights’ projection is based on size, physicality, and reach. He is a consummate defensive defenseman who will need some adjustments to succeed at the next level. His game is similar to Nikita Zadorov, and if he reaches the next level, he could etch out a role like Zadorov’s in the NHL. Logan Stanley is another good comparison.

Other THW Profiles

NHL Draft Projection

Knights’ season should make him a fourth or fifth-round selection. However, considering there aren’t a ton of defensive defenseman in this draft, he could rise to the early fourth round or even late third round. The Seattle Kraken or Calgary Flames would be good fits. With the comparison to Zadorov, the Boston Bruins are a logical fit, too.

Quotables

“Theodor Knights is a player with highly projectable qualities heading into the NHL Draft. As a big physical defenseman, he checks a lot of boxes NHL scouts look for. He also has the ability to move pucks efficiently to his forwards even under pressure in the defensive zone.” — Jacob Smeds, The Hockey News

“Ultimately, Knights has NHL size, defensive instincts, and a willingness to play hard, but his lack of puck play, limited offensive upside, and discipline concerns create a very narrow path to the NHL; if he can improve his skating efficiency, clean up his physical decision-making, and become a more reliable, penalty-killing specialist, he could develop into a depth, bottom-pair NHL defenseman, but as it stands he projects more likely as a physical, stay-at-home defender, making him a late -round or priority free agent candidate with significant development risk over the next 2-4 years.” — Neutral Zone

Strengths

• Great size already
• Good reach
• Very physical, in tandem with his size
• Good linear skating allows him to keep pace with forwards entering the offensive zone

Weaknesses

• Not a lot in his offensive game
• Over-physicality leads to penalties
• Needs to improve edges as a defensive defenseman

NHL Potential

If Knights makes it to the NHL, he could slot in as a bottom-pairing defenseman or on the second pair alongside a more offensive, tinier blueliner. His physicality probably puts him on the penalty kill a lot, although he needs to improve parts of his game to become a PK specialist.

He projects as a stay-at-home defenseman, and he’ll need some fine-tuning in some of the details to make the NHL. His time in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) will be very telling for his NHL future.

Risk/Reward Potential

Risk: 3/5, Reward: 2/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense: 1/10, Defense: 6/10

Achievements/Awards

• 2023-24 TV Pucken Gold Medal
• 2025-26 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Silver Medal
• 2025-26 WJAC-19 Bronze Medal

Statistics

Videos

Nissa KhannkhanEdit Profile