NHL Draft 2026 grades for every first-round pick: Maple Leafs add talented Gavin McKenna
2026 NHL Draft
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Gavin McKenna was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
By Corey PronmanJune 26, 2026 Updated June 27, 2026 1:07 am EDTFollow our live coverage of the 2026 NHL Draft
The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft is here, and, as expected, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 pick.
Starting with McKenna, here are scouting reports of every player taken in Round 1, and analysis of their selection. The pick grade reflects my thoughts on perceived value gained from the pick relative to the draft slot, plus any secondary variables a team may have had to deal with.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State Univ. (NCAA)
December 20, 2007 | 5′ 11″ | 170 pounds
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Player comparable: Artemi Panarin
Analysis: McKenna possesses off-the-charts puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity. He’s a strong skater who can generate a ton of chances with pace. He’s a pass-first player who projects to run a power play at a high level due to his elite playmaking ability. He’s not overly physical and can be pushed to the outside too much, but despite his frustrating tendencies, coaches still tend to play him a ton at every level. He projects as a top-line winger who can run a PP1.
Pick grade: A-
Thoughts on the pick: McKenna is the most talented player in this year’s draft. He is the most skilled player. He is the one with considerably the best scoring track record over the course of his amateur career. He is a dynamic offensive player. The issues are going to come down to the compete level. I personally don’t view his compete level as a major issue. Does he get pushed to the perimeter a little bit? Yes. Is he going to be the most physical? Probably not. But this is a guy who, over the course of years, has shown up in big moments, who has been a leader on his team.
2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frölunda HC (SHL)
September 30, 2007 | 6′ 0″ | 181 pounds
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Player comparable: Jake Guentzel
Analysis: Stenberg is an electric offensive talent. He’s a high-end puck handler, passer and shooter who can make difficult plays with the puck routinely and is a natural scorer. He isn’t that big or mean, but he works hard and has shown he can win battles against men. His frame and good (but not great) small-guy skating will be concerns on his NHL projection. He could be a top-line winger.
Pick grade: A-
Thoughts on the pick: We talk about how San Jose needs defensemen, and they do. But you look at that team, and the gap between Macklin Celebrini and the next-best forward on that team had to be historic for the modern era. You get not only an elite skill player in Stenberg but also a guy who’s going to win battles at even strength and be a factor in all three zones.
3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
June 2, 2008 | 6′ 2″ | 185 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Matty Beniers
Analysis: Malhotra is a very skilled center who can make a ton of creative plays. He’s fast and attacks with pace. He breaks down opponents one-on-one very well and is a great passer. There is a minor question about how truly dynamic his offensive game is, but he projects to put up points in the NHL. Malhotra competes hard, showing a detailed two-way game and potential to play difficult minutes as a pro. He projects as an all-around top-six center.
Pick grade: C
Thoughts on the pick: Malhotra does have a lot of offensive traits, the skating, the skill, the hockey sense. He is the complete package. I think you worry a little bit if the offense is going to be special, but everything else about his game is pointing in a positive direction.
4. Buffalo Sabres: Daxon Rudolph, RHD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
March 6, 2008 | 6′ 3″ | 205 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Esa Lindell
Analysis: Rudolph is a super smart defenseman. He displays great touch, poise and vision with the puck and can run a power play quite well. Rudolph is a mobile defender who can lead a rush, closes on checks effectively and is a solid defender who competes fine despite not being overly physical, using his long reach to break up plays. He projects as a quality top-four defenseman who could QB a power play.
Pick grade: C+
Thoughts on the pick: I didn’t have Rudolph rated at this range where he went, so I’m not going to say that I agree with this or that I would have done this if I were Buffalo. But there were two players this year who I watched, and they gave you the most “oh my god” moments in terms of their skill: Gavin McKenna and for me, Rudolph had the second most plays like that. I think you’re worried if the defense is really going to be premium at the next level. I don’t think his compete is a major asset, although this is a guy for two years in a row has been a premium player in the playoffs. He has stepped up in the big games and hard games. I see the argument, but I couldn’t get there.
5. New York Rangers: Alberts Šmits, LHD, Munich (DEL)
December 2, 2007 | 6′ 3″ | 209 pounds
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Player comparable: Jakob Chychrun
Analysis: Šmits is a tall defenseman with impressive mobility and smarts. He can make a reliable first pass and has a big point shot, projecting to have quality amounts of offense at the top level. He isn’t a super smart puck-mover, but there’s enough touch in his game to project to be reliable with the puck in the NHL. He defends very well due to his length and feet, while also competing hard and being willing to play the body. He projects as a top-pairing defenseman.
Pick grade: A
Thoughts on the pick: Every time I watched this player he was just good, or really good. He was really impressive against men in Liiga. He goes to the DEL in the playoffs and helps his team win games. He goes to the Olympics and plays against NHL players and has a lot of success. He goes to the World Championships for Latvia and he’s one of their best players. He’s 6-foot-3, he can really skate, he has skill, he competes. He is one of the more complete players in this year’s draft. It’s a very easy projection into a top four.
6. Calgary Flames: Carson Carels, LHD, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
June 23, 2008 | 6′ 2″ | 198 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Ryan McDonagh
Analysis: Carels is a strong two-way defender. He’s a powerful, fluid skater who can get up the ice easily. He closes on checks well, using his feet and body to break up a lot of plays. He has an edge in his game and plays with a lot of physicality. Carels has good hands and vision and can activate into plays. He doesn’t project as a PP1 type in the NHL, but he should generate offense. He could be a great top-four defenseman who will play significant NHL minutes.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: I think the defending is more exciting than the offense, but there is significant offense in his game. The scouts who had Carels over Reid would always ask me this question: why is Reid consistently rated ahead of Carels, given that Reid is both older and scored less? And you can argue Carels is just as good or a better defender.
7. Seattle Kraken: Chase Reid, RHD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
December 30, 2007 | 6′ 2″ | 194 pounds
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Player comparable: Seth Jones
Analysis: Reid is a talented defenseman with a lot of offensive tools. He has the speed, hands, vision and shot to generate chances and be a leading scorer for an NHL team. Reid can create in transition and off the blue line with his feet and creativity, showing high-end improvisation skills. Reid isn’t overly physical, but he works hard enough and makes plenty of stops due to his reach, feet and compete level even while playing an aggressive style of play offensively. He projects as a major minutes NHL defenseman who can run a first power play.
Pick grade: A
Thoughts on the pick: I think when Seattle gets to the podium, they’re going to say they got their best defense prospect in this year’s draft. He’s 6-2 1/2, a right shot who’s highly mobile and highly intelligent. He can break pucks out and make plays from the offensive blue line. He has skill and good hockey sense. But it’s not just the offense. This is a competitive player. He was arguably USA’s best defenseman at the World Juniors. He just checks every single box for me.
8. Winnipeg Jets: Viggo Björck, C, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
March 12, 2008 | 5′ 9″ | 181 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Logan Stankoven
Analysis: Björck is a slick, playmaking center. He has tremendous creativity as both a puck handler and passer. He’s small and a good, but not great, skater, which raises some concerns about his NHL projection, particularly if he can stay in the middle. Björck is talented, but it’s his great compete and off-puck details that get evaluators excited. He wins a ton of battles, even versus men as a 17-year-old, is great defensively and is often trusted by coaches in all situations. He projects as a quality top-two-line center in the NHL.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: I think there are some concerns his feet aren’t elite. I don’t think his skating is elite for his size. At the World Juniors, though, I thought he was better than Ivar Stenberg. At the World Championships, I thought he was just as good, if not better than Stenberg. I don’t think it would surprise anyone if three years from now, we’re talking about Björck as one of the best forwards in the draft.
9. San Jose Sharks: Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
June 19, 2008 | 6′ 4″ | 216 pounds
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Player comparable: Aaron Ekblad
Analysis: Verhoeff is a big two-way defenseman. He’s a strong skater, especially for his size. He isn’t flashy, nor is he overly creative offensively, but he has good skill, sees the ice well and makes difficult plays with a great point shot that will be a threat in the NHL. His decision-making at times can leave you wanting, though. He’s hard on his checks and uses his size. In college, he wasn’t a hard minutes defenseman this season, but he has been at the junior level, and he was a 17-year-old on a top college team. He projects as a tough-minutes top-pair defenseman in the NHL who could score at a quality clip.
Pick grade: A
Thoughts on the pick: I knew he was going to slide, but I think people were overthinking this one. The body of work for Verhoeff is too good. The skills are too good. He’s competitive and has captained Canada at multiple events. I get that there are some minor flaws. I don’t think those flaws deserved him to go No. 9. I think San Jose just got a heck of a prospect, and I think the Sharks now have the best pipeline in the NHL by a massive margin.
10. Nashville Predators: Wyatt Cullen, F, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
September 8, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 181 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Nick Schmaltz
Analysis: Cullen is a high-end skill winger with great touch and vision with the puck. He beats defenders one-on-one often with his speed and skill and has a great offensive imagination. Despite his aesthetic skills, his scoring hasn’t followed, and he struggles to finish chances. The hope is that, as one of the draft’s youngest players and someone who has gone through a massive growth spurt in the last 12 months, the production will come as he fills out physically. He competes well enough, he’s not very physical and can play too cute at times, but he wins puck battles and gets to the net to create chances. Cullen projects as a top-six winger.
Pick grade: B
Thoughts on the pick: The conversation around Cullen for me was always the production and the context with his growth spurt. When you watched the NTDP, and it wasn’t a great under-18 team this year, but he stood out. He was extremely dynamic. You can see the tantalizing top-six upside. You can see the argument for why he deserved to go in this range.
11. St. Louis Blues: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston Univ. (NCAA)
August 3, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Phillip Danault
Analysis: Lawrence is an excellent skater with the quick-twitch feet that allow him to buzz around the ice. He works very hard and brings a lot of pace and energy to his shifts. He’s a very strong puck handler who creates chances on the move. His vision and decision making are not the best, and he can force a lot of plays. He projects as a two-way third line center.
Pick grade: C
Thoughts on the pick: Most scouts I talked to in December had him in their top five. Lawrence going to school tanked his draft stock. If he had gotten injured in November or December, he was going top five in this year’s draft. I think the college level did expose some minor hockey sense and offense questions that were lingering in his game.
12. New Jersey Devils: Alexander Command, C, Örebro HK U20 (U20 Nationell)
June 16, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 187 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Christian Dvorak
Analysis: Command is a two-way center who ticks a lot of boxes. He’s a strong skater with quality offensive skills. He can make creative plays with the puck, but he does so in a direct manner to the net. He also has a great shot that is a threat from mid-range. He is average-sized, but quite physical and wins a lot of puck battles. He has the traits to be a middle-six center in the NHL.
Pick grade: C
Thoughts on the pick: He was excellent at the men’s U18s centering a line with Elton Hermansson and Marcus Nordmark, who are both extremely skilled wingers. At center, he was doing all the dirty work and two-way play. I think the way he ended his season on such a high note was a selling point for the Devils, who now get a great two-way player to add to their system.
13. New York Islanders: Malte Gustafsson, LHD, HV71 U20 (U20 Nationell)
June 11, 2008 | 6′ 4″ | 203 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Mattias Ekholm
Analysis: Gustafsson is a large defenseman who is quite mobile for his frame, competes defensively and has quality offensive skills. His puck play isn’t anything special, but he has good hands and IQ and can make all the basic plays while showing enough poise to create secondary offense in the NHL. Gustafsson shines defensively, with excellent gap control and a heavy element in his game. He projects as a top-four defenseman who can match up with good forwards.
Pick grade: B
Thoughts on the pick: To me, Gustafsson was clearly the best player available here. He’s a big, mobile defenseman who can make plays. He has really good defensive traits. He didn’t put up huge points at the J20 level or in the SHL, but I thought he was the best defenseman at the U18 World Championships. He’s a really impressive two-way player.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Oscar Hemming, F, Boston College (NCAA)
August 13, 2008 | 6′ 4″ | 198 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Marcus Foligno
Analysis: Hemming’s on-ice tools are highly intriguing. He’s a big winger with the speed and skill for the higher levels. He can make difficult plays with speed and has a good shot from range. Hemming uses his big body well, playing a heavy, highly physical brand of hockey. Whether the pure offense in his game will be truly elite is a minor question, but he projects as a hard-to-play-against top-six winger.
Pick grade: B+
Thoughts on the pick: He’s very talented and shown offense at the Hlinka Gretzky and in Finnish junior the year prior, to go with a high level of physicality. I can see the path for him to become a top-six power winger in the NHL.
15. Anaheim Ducks: Nikita Klepov, F, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
June 27, 2008 | 6′ 0″ | 181 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: JJ Peterka
Analysis: Klepov is a highly skilled and intelligent winger. He has the ability to run a pro power play and make difficult plays consistently at the next level. He’s a solid skater who can generate chances with pace. His effort level is fine, although he’s not that physically imposing and can be pushed to the outside. He’s talented, with NHL power play and scoring ability, but I’m not sold that his talent is special enough for his average athleticism and effort level to be a full-time player, although he’s on the bubble.
Pick grade: C+
Thoughts on the pick: I believe the Ducks wanted to add skill in this draft. Klepov was excellent this year. I just saw him at the Gold Star camp last week, and he was the best player there. He has high-end skill and a high-end brain and is a good skater. He has a trajectory to be a second- or third-line winger who could help a power play.
16. St. Louis Blues: Maddox Dagenais, C, Québec Remparts (QMJHL)
March 27, 2008 | 6′ 4″ | 196 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Radek Faksa
Analysis: Dagenais has all the aesthetic tools. He’s a nearly 6-foot-4 center who moves well for his size, has legit offensive skills and a high-end shot from range. Dagenais is a physical player who leans on opponents with his big body. Despite that element in his game, he plays on the outside too much like a lot of shooters, and can be an inconsistent player offensively. He projects as a third-line forward, potentially down the middle.
Pick grade: C+
Thoughts on the pick: He’s a good player, but I have some concerns about whether the Blues just got a third-line banging forward, who’s maybe a center or maybe a winger. He’s still a valuable player type in the NHL, but he lacks offense and I thought that at the U18s, his hockey sense got exposed, too.
17. Utah Mammoth: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
March 30, 2008 | 6′ 5″ | 229 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Aliaksei Protas
Analysis: Belchetz is massive at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, while having a high skill level and hands of a smaller forward. He plays a heavy game and uses his big frame to win battles and dislodge pucks from opponents. He’s great around the net, showing the skill to create in tight and has a shot that can finish from range. His playmaking and skating are fine, but they aren’t a selling point of his game. He projects as a top-six winger that teams will love to have in the playoffs.
Pick grade: B+
Thoughts on the pick: I think he’s going to get the development time. I think he’s a two-year college player, maybe even a three-year college player, given the need for him to develop his skating. Utah has so many options in terms of young players, there’s no need to rush Belchetz.
18. Washington Capitals: Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)
September 3, 2008 | 6′ 3″ | 209 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Shane Pinto
Analysis: Suvanto is a big, heavy center with a high skill level. He has the hands and offensive sense to make flashy plays off the perimeter, but he plays the game in a direct way that should translate to NHL offense, often creating chances at the net-front. He’s a competitive two-way center who, despite his so-so skating stride, projects to play tough minutes as a pro. As long as he can handle the pace at the next level, he has the traits to become a third-line center.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: I do think he has talent and has a really good chance to be a middle-six center in the NHL. Is it high-end skill? No. But he’s 6-foot-3 and there is offense and playmaking in his game. He is competitive. I think there are a lot of good things about Suvanto’s game.
19. Los Angeles Kings: Elton Hermansson, RW, MoDo Hockey (HockeyAllsvenskan)
February 5, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 183 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Alexis Lafrenière
Analysis: Hermansson is a highly skilled winger. He makes a ton of plays through defenders and to his teammates, although he plays a bit selfishly at times. He’s a good skater who can play with pace. Without the puck, he’s just OK and can be pushed to the outside when he does have it. His compete level and inconsistency can be frustrating. He has top-six winger talent, but whether he will get there will depend on him figuring those issues out.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: It’s a swing. It’s average size, but it’s really high-end skill. The one thing scouts liked with Hermansson is that he played effectively against men. He was able to help his team, score and show some pro habits.
20. Buffalo Sabres: Ilia Morozov, C, Miami Univ. (Ohio) (NCAA)
August 3, 2008 | 6′ 3″ | 201 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Zemgus Girgensons
Analysis: Morozov is a big center who can skate. He’s good with the puck, although he’s not a true top-tier playmaker. Morozov competes very well, is quite physical and uses his big body to win battles. He has a style of play that leads to winning games, and projects as a bottom-six center who coaches will love to have in the playoffs, even if he doesn’t generate points at a high level.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: The numbers in college and the USHL were good, not great. I think there is skill there, though. There have been times I have watched him, and I thought he could be a middle-six center and a top-15 pick. Maybe three years from now, we’re talking about Morozov as a Hobey Baker candidate. I couldn’t get there, but I could see how you could draw that line.
21. San Jose Sharks: Ryan Lin, RHD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
April 18, 2008 | 5′ 11″ | 176 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Rasmus Sandin
Analysis: Lin is a very smart defenseman. He has the high-end vision and poise to run an NHL power play and makes difficult passes at both ends of the ice. He’s a smaller defenseman, but plays hard and wins a surprising amount of battles for his size. His skating is fine, but it’s an issue for his frame, and his defense at the next level will be a question. He projects as a No. 4/5 defenseman.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: Lin isn’t an athletic skater, and he’s 5-foot-10, so he’s going to have to prove he can play NHL games. He might need some AHL time, too. I like the player, and I think his compete is really good, I just think it’s a gamble, but with your third pick, absolutely.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Liam Ruck, F, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
February 21, 2008 | 6′ 0″ | 176 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Joel Farabee
Analysis: Ruck is a dangerous scoring winger. He’s a very slick and intelligent player who creates a lot with the puck. His pure athletic tools don’t jump out: he’s not that big, and he’s a below-average skater. He does work hard, though, and gets to the hard areas to generate offense, earning his coach’s trust consistently. Ruck has a path to the league due to his great stick and brain.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: I love that they knew who they were taking, which to me signals that they had him very high on their list. I had never circled the Penguins for the Ruck twins. I know they have expressed to teams that they want to play together. Liam has a high-end brain and competes really hard, but the skating isn’t great for a 5-foot-11.5 guy.
23. Detroit Red Wings: JP Hurlbert, F, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
April 11, 2008 | 6′ 0″ | 183 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Jordan Eberle
Analysis: Hurlbert is a very skilled scoring winger. He’s very creative and dynamic as a puck handler and passer while also having a good shot. With the puck, he looks like an NHL player, but his effort level and speed are average, and he can be pushed to the outside too easily. If you see his best games, he looks like a clear middle-six NHL winger who will point and help a power play, but the holes in his game are a concern for the NHL level and could frustrate coaches.
Pick grade: B
Thoughts on the pick: I think if you’re a Red Wings fan, though, you’re happy that they finally took a shot on a guy where the first words coming out of your mouth are skill, scoring, playmaking, as opposed to another high compete or two-way guy. The pace is fine, although it’s not special for his size. I think his compete is good enough, too.
24. Vancouver Canucks: Adam Novotný, LW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
November 13, 2007 | 6′ 1″ | 205 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Jack Roslovic
Analysis: Novotný is a great skater, with the quick burst in his first few steps to pressure even the faster NHL defenders. He has good stick skills. He’s not a natural playmaker, but Novotný has a great shot and can score from the dots and in tight effectively. He works hard enough. Novotný isn’t very physical, but he can be reliable off the puck, and coaches could trust him in a lot of situations. He projects as a top-six winger.
Pick grade: B
Thoughts on the pick: Novotný is a good forward who could be a middle-six, two-way guy long-term and deserved to go in this range. There were definitely times in this process when he was discussed as a lottery pick.
25. Ottawa Senators: Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW, Leksands IF U20 (U20 Nationell)
October 24, 2007 | 6′ 2″ | 190 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Kevin Hayes
Analysis: Hoen missed most of the season due to a torn knee ligament, but when healthy, he’s been great at the Swedish junior level and got some SHL time. He’s a tall, fast winger with a great shot. His game lacks east-west playmaking, but he has good hands and can beat opponents with skill. He works hard enough, although he’s not overly physical. Lagerberg projects as a middle-six winger due to his great combination of traits, and if healthy, there’s intriguing upside to be a legit scorer at the next level.
Pick grade: B
Thoughts on the pick: He’s a really good skater for his size and has really good skill and a really good shot. I think if he’s healthy and consistent, you can see the top-six upside there. This is a reasonable gamble, and I think Senators fans are going to like that. A lot of their picks have been big, physical guys and two-way guys. If Lagerberg hits, he’s a 25-to-30 goal-scoring winger with size
26. Montréal Canadiens: Gleb Pugachyov, RW, Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)
March 25, 2008 | 6′ 3″ | 198 pounds
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Lawson Crouse
Analysis: Pugachyov is a big, heavy winger who skates well and has good offensive skills. The pure tools in his game jump out at you, and when you add that he plays with some bite, it’s an exciting combination of traits. There are minor questions about his sense and how creative he is with the puck, but he’s so athletic and competitive that it’s easy to see an NHL coach feed him a ton of minutes.
Pick grade: A
Thoughts on the pick: I think he’s the best power forward in the draft. He’s had two really good playoffs with Torpedo in the MHL. A great pick. He’s a top-six winger for me.
27. Philadelphia Flyers: Maksim Sokolovskii, LHD, London Knights (OHL)
July 12, 2008 | 6′ 8″ | 238 pounds
Tier: NHL prospect
Analysis: Sokolovskii is a massive and highly athletic defenseman. He’s a strong, mobile player who’s very physical and projects to make a ton of stops. The debate on Sokolovskii will come down to his puck play. He can certainly fight the puck at times, although he showed progress as the season went on. The hope is that he can make basic outlets and retrievals because if so, an NHL coach will play him a lot.
Pick grade: C+
Thoughts on the pick: The argument for the people who really like him, they would say, throw out the first half and just focus on his second half and the playoffs, where he was moving the puck a little bit better and making a few more plays. He was really raw and developing. He’s a freak athlete and is very physical, but there’s no offense. If he keeps developing over the next year or two, maybe you’re getting someone who can be a top-four defenseman.
28. Anaheim Ducks: Marcus Nordmark, LW, Djurgårdens IF U20 (U20 Nationell)
May 4, 2008 | 6′ 2″ | 187 pounds
Tier: NHL prospect
Analysis: Nordmark has a lot of NHL traits. He’s 6-foot-2, skates well, is a highly gifted puck handler and can both pass and shoot the puck like an NHLer. He’s a flashy forward who can break open a shift. His effort level is just OK, though. He’s not soft, but he’s certainly not a hard-to-play-against type and fades into the background for stretches and has a lot of bad habits. He has top six winger tools but there’s a lot of holes in his games he will need to work on.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: It’s a big investment in skill for Anaheim in this draft. Nordmark is really, really talented. He has high-end hands and he can skate and make plays. I think when you talk about compete issues, though, he was one of the players where that came up the most. He had a really bad U18 World Championship, and it rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. This is a dice roll, but if he overcomes that stuff, he has all the physical traits and the skill to be a middle-six or a top-six winger.
29. Vegas Golden Knights: Juho Piiparinen, RHD, Tappara (Liiga)
August 10, 2008 | 6′ 3″ | 203 pounds
Tier: NHL prospect
Analysis: Piiparinen does a lot of things effectively. He’s a mobile right-shot who can skate and pass pucks up the ice well, while also being a solid defender who breaks up a lot of plays. He’s not overly physical, but he gives a solid effort and is often relied on by coaches. His offense will be the question at the next level. Given that he doesn’t truly excel at any one thing, there will be questions about his role as well.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: He checks a lot of boxes, and he has some offense. He does OK at running the power play internationally. He’s competitive and mobile. He can make stops and kill penalties. I don’t see the high-end upside, but this was his range.
30. Calgary Flames: Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
March 23, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Player comparable: Peyton Krebs
Analysis: Hextall is a skilled center with excellent offensive sense. He’s a slick playmaker who executes difficult passes with consistency. He’s a diligent pivot who can play both ways and doesn’t shy away from going into traffic. His skating is solid, albeit not a standout trait. He hasn’t been a prolific junior scorer, but he’s well-rounded enough that I can see him playing a lot of important minutes as he advances levels.
Pick grade: B+
Thoughts on the pick: Hextall was one of the very best centers in the USHL. You look at his point totals, they’re good, but they’re not great, but there is offense there. He’s a competitive player and a two-way center. I think he has the tools to become a legitimate third-line center in the NHL.
31. Nashville Predators: Tommy Bleyl, RHD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
December 1, 2007 | 6′ 0″ | 170 pounds
Tier: NHL prospect
Analysis: Bleyl is a very skilled defenseman. He has a high level of creativity and touch with the puck, and beats opponents often with his skill. He’s a very smart puck-mover who has the sense to run a pro power play. Bleyl is also highly mobile with great speed and edge work, and projects to lead a rush at the NHL level. He’s a smaller defenseman who isn’t very physical, so making stops versus men will be a significant challenge. He has the traits to play, but whether he sticks will depend on whether the offense is more than just pretty good.
Pick grade: B-
Thoughts on the pick: Shouldn’t Bleyl go to college instead of staying in Moncton? If you’re the best defenseman in the Q, what more do you have to prove? He’s not going too early here, though.
32. Ottawa Senators: Jaxon Cover, LW, London Knights (OHL)
February 13, 2008 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds
Tier: NHL prospect
Analysis: Cover is a toolsy winger. He’s nearly 6-2 with clear NHL-calibre foot speed and puck skills. On his best shifts, when he’s coming up the ice with pace and beating defenders clean, he looks like an NHL player. That player can be a little inconsistent, though. Cover is an average playmaker and competitor, who, despite his size, isn’t overly physical, although he will get to the net to create chances. He projects as a bottom-six winger.
Pick grade: D
Thoughts on the pick: The story is great. The tools are great. How he actually looked on the ice this season was very inconsistent.
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