Updated 2026 NHL Mock Draft After the Draft Lottery

No sooner did Auston Matthews say he wasn't sure whether he'd be back in Toronto in the fall than the Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery. It's as if the universe said: "Hold it right there. We're sending you a reason to stay."

Alright, maybe not—maybe he's still out the door—but if this were an inspirational sports movie, that's how it would play out.

After the drawing of the lottery balls heard round the hockey world, the draw for second overall revealed that the San Jose Sharks would be picking second. Again. It's a narratively satisfying city over here, folks. As if the Sharks needed even more opportunity to add fuel to the fire that is their already-loaded prospect pool.

So let's dive in and see who gets chosen where, shall we?

Draft order as of May 5, per the NHL, post-lottery.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

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First overall, huh? Welcome to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Gavin McKenna.

While there are certain teams that would galaxy-brain a first overall selection, the Leafs are not one of them.

McKenna is obviously an easy pick at first overall in a general sense, and is especially easy when you consider that it gives the Leafs the opportunity to bring in a good Canadian boy (even if he did leave his CHL team for college hockey).

We spoke earlier in the season about McKenna's play away from the puck. He did a lot to assuage those concerns in the back half of the season, though he does need to continue that part of his development, or he'll get eaten alive by less-than-friendly commentary from Toronto's perpetual Greek chorus (this is not specifically referring to the media, but rather everyone. People have strong opinions on the Leafs).

Phenomenal processing skills, puckhandling that's a dream come to life, incredible offensive instincts and vision—we could sing McKenna's praises all day.

I mentioned in our last mock draft that any issues with engagement levels or pace off the puck can be fixed with the right motivation; there's no better motivation than becoming the next franchise player for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2. San Jose Sharks: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds 

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In our recent scouting report of defenseman Chase Reid, we said he is the best defenseman in this draft.

The San Jose Sharks will likely agree. And given they've had ample opportunity to build up their forward corps over the last few drafts, they will look to the blue line this year.

Take a moment and imagine Reid on the ice with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith and whatever other members of the Sharks' stable of talented young prospects happen to be around. It's a nice vision, right? He's incredibly offensively gifted, agile and intelligent, and he dictates the flow of the game any time he's on the ice. He's going to be extremely good, and the Sharks are going to be fun.

Like many others, Reid is headed to Michigan State University in the fall. No idea what kind of Etsy witch Adam Nightingale hired to build the kind of program he's got going on over there.

3. Vancouver Canucks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frolunda HC (SHL)

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This pick feels particularly fitting after watching the draft lottery and seeing the Sedin brothers representing the Vancouver Canucks. Taking fellow Swede Ivar Stenberg at third overall would be like getting the first overall pick, even though they didn't win the lottery. And that's honestly the next best thing.

Stenberg, perhaps most importantly, could jump into the Canucks' lineup as soon as next season. They're going to want that rather than someone they have to give a long development runway to, and he's a lot more development‑questions‑proof than their other options. This is an excellent scenario for Vancouver.

He's got a never-quit motor, elite hockey sense, and a game driven by phenomenal skating and stick work. He brings scoring that they're no doubt looking for as well. The Canucks won't let him slip through their fingers at this spot.

4. Chicago Blackhawks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

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With the chips having fallen where they did, here's another easy pick.

Brantford Bulldogs center Caleb Malhotra has been rising across the season on most boards and perfectly fits the overall identity that the Blackhawks seem to want to build.

Strong work ethic, terrific offensive instincts and vision, and perhaps most importantly, an excellent attention to detail in general, much less for someone his age. And that detail game drives how he puts his hockey sense into action. 

The Blackhawks want to take the next step sooner rather than later, and Malhotra does need a bit more time to cook. He's headed to Boston University in the fall after spending this season in the OHL, part of a common pipeline. He's turning 18 in June, too, so even if the 19-year-old AHL exception goes through, he won't be eligible to sign pro and play in Rockford—it's let him season or rush him into the NHL. Hopefully, the Blackhawks would be patient, because it will definitely pay off with this player.

On the off-chance the Blackhawks do select someone else here, I can see the team with the next pick, the New York Rangers, snapping up Malhotra immediately.

5. New York Rangers: Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

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As previously stated, if Caleb Malhotra is available here, he's the New York Rangers' guy. If he isn't, they will likely pivot and look for a defenseman.

And with his performance at the World Juniors, as well as how he looked across his regular season, don't be surprised to see their gaze turn in the direction of Prince George Cougars defender Carson Carels.

While he's our personal third-best available defenseman, his runway to the NHL is shorter than others'. And that's something the Rangers would appreciate.

Carel's skating is a standout aspect of his game, with agility and edgework as well as nice explosiveness. I described him once as "pairing meanness with efficiency," and that's the best compliment I could give. His physicality and menacing qualities are used effectively to turn defense into offense, and his own offensive instincts make him an effective attacker and distributor.

It won't surprise you in the slightest when you learn that he eats heavy minutes in serious situations. He projects as a top-pair defenseman easily.

6. Calgary Flames: Keaton Verhoeff, D, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

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Now we're getting into more reasonable territory to select defenseman Keaton Verhoeff. A little high for me personally, but more reasonable.

Particularly because with the prospect pool the Flames have been building, they can afford to give Verhoeff more time to develop and to work his way out of some bad habits he's gotten into. Specifically, poor decision-making in the moment. 

On our last draft board, I noted that "If he's given more time to refine his engagement levels and to learn to pre-read plays on a consistent basis (which should improve his decision-making in turn), we'll get the ceiling of his potential; if he's rushed into the NHL too quickly, we're far more likely to see the bust version".

The Flames are a good environment for him for this reason; with the defensemen ahead of him, I feel like he's less likely to be rushed than he would be with other teams. I'd love to see him play another season of college hockey and work with a good skating coach in the process.

7. Seattle Kraken: Viggo Bjorck, C/RW, Djurgardens IF

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I've been toying with a few different scenarios for Swedish forward Viggo Bjorck across our mock drafts so far, and I feel no closer to actually pinning down where he'll be selected. This round, we're testing the Seattle Kraken because I think wherever he's selected, he belongs in the top 10. He spent the season successfully centering a top line in Sweden's top men's hockey league at age 17. That alone says a lot. 

Something that really caught my eye when first watching him, and that I've grown to realize is an inherent part of his game, is Bjorck's nonstop motor. The guy just…doesn't stop. There were questions early in the season—NHL Central Scouting initially gave him a B rating—but those questions were answered quickly. His puck skills are top-notch, and though I waver about how exactly highly I want to rank his hockey IQ, there's no question that it's good.

He's an excellent playmaker, though I'd love to see if he can add another layer of creativity and deception to his offensive game. He's going to be a play-driving addition to some NHL team's lineup sooner than later; don't listen to anyone who tells you to worry about his size.

8. Winnipeg Jets: Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit (Liiga)

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In the last mock draft, I said that defenseman Alberts Smits felt made in a lab for a few select teams and assigned him to the St. Louis Blues. This go-round, I'm handing him off to one of the other teams I was thinking of: the Winnipeg Jets. At the end of the day, Smits brings size, skating, and a defense-first mindset. He's like catnip for teams who chase the kind of identity that the Jets do.

Throughout the season, Smits has played in a wide variety of environments and levels of play, including both the World Juniors and the Olympics. It's a benefit in that succeeding in this kind of situation requires adaptability, but it also makes it harder for scouts to know whether there's consistency in certain areas of his game.

For Smits, that area of concern is decision-making at those top game speeds. And that's really my only concern for him.

He's an incredible skater, he has phenomenal hockey sense (which is probably why he's been so adaptable), and he has great physicality and pace in his game.

9. Florida Panthers: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)

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Last go-round, I threw defenseman Daxon Rudolph at the Panthers. Now we explore who they might look for if they choose to select a forward. (I think the actual most likely scenario is that they deal this pick for a piece to help them get back into the playoffs. But we carry on.)

Tynan Lawrence is going to be a good, steady NHL player for probably a long time. Picking him at eighth overall here would be leaving significant value on the table. Both of these things can be true, and he is definitely a pick I can see the Panthers making. Their mindset is that missing the playoffs this year was a fluke, and they can afford to give him the longer runway he needs. He made the jump from the USHL to the Boston University Terriers midseason, so I think we don't really know what kind of college hockey player he is yet, but he held his own.

Lawrence is clearly very smart, with high processing speeds, but he hasn't quite managed to translate that into imposing his will on the flow of play. He's definitely a skilled skater and tenacious as they come.

10. Nashville Predators: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

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If the Nashville Predators want to select a defenseman with their first-round pick this year, I have a difficult time seeing them pick a smaller or not-as-physical guy. Daxon Rudolph pairs size and intentional physicality with an active stick and good decision-making.

He's an intelligent player with good vision, and he's valuable at both ends of the rink. There's not a ton of risk in this pick, but there's not a ton of excitement, either.

Rudolph is a quieter style of player than many of the flashier, more dynamic defenders in this draft class, but don't mistake quiet for lack of skill. His stickwork is excellent, and though he's tall and solid, he's a good skater, able to put on quick bursts of speed and easily move in any direction. He's also got a nice element of patience to his game.

I don't have many criticisms, except that he could stand to be a little less patient at times and bring more intensity to his play. And for someone of his size, I would expect a bit more physicality. But these aren't huge quibbles.

11. St. Louis Blues: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

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It's hard to project where players will be selected when they miss significant time with injury; not because this should affect their draft standing, but because you can never be quite certain how much weight teams will give that factor.

It's sometimes easy to overlook an injured player for whom you have fewer viewings than for a player you've gotten to see almost nightly. But Windsor Spitfires winger Ethan Belchetz is worth taking the chance, and since the St. Louis Blues have three picks in this first round (though I think realistically they trade one), we're going for it. 

Belchetz projects as a power forward type, bringing massive size and strong puck-handling abilities. He's skilled at creating in transition, thanks to his excellent offensive instincts and vision, and his ability to create net front is even stronger.

The main quibble with Belchetz's game is consistency, and it's so hard to push back against that when you miss significant time and can't prove yourself capable of being consistent. With a high floor and a higher ceiling, I firmly believe he's worth the risk.

12. New Jersey Devils: Oscar Hemming, F, Boston College (NCAA)

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No Viggo Bjorck this mock draft; he's already off the board.

Instead, we look to a Finnish forward: Oscar Hemming, who took the leap to NCAA hockey midseason and joined Boston College. Hemming's immediate standout qualities include excellent awareness and doggedness on the forecheck that he pairs with wonderfully intentional physicality. As I said last time, if a player's absolute floor looks to be "useful and efficient third liner who is strong defensively", I'm going to take notice.

He's a mobile skater, though I would prefer to see him add a separating factor in terms of acceleration from his edges, and he already has an NHL frame. I am really interested to see how his skating and detail game look across a full NHL season—this year, he really just jumped right into the middle of an established situation and played catch-up (really well, to be clear).

He makes opponents' lives tougher on every shift as it is, and he's very good at finding teammates; I think he would be a solid low-risk choice for the Devils here.

13. New York Islanders: Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

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The key aspect of winger Adam Novotny's game that prompted this New York Islanders connection was how well-rounded he is, particularly compared to other potential first-rounders.

Novotny is efficient and engaged in every situation, able to create in multiple ways rather than being a one-trick pony, and is an absolute beast on the forecheck. If you were to ask me which prospect was most likely to make opponents cry out of sheer frustration, it would be him. He impacts the game every single time he steps onto the ice.

For this reason, combined with his offensive skill and the fact that we see his strengths consistently, he really projects as a power forward. Before his game rounded out, it was thought perhaps he'd end up more of a sniper; it was so nice to see that develop further this season.

With Matthew Schaefer being a massive success for the Islanders, they're no doubt looking for players they can throw into the league sooner rather than later. Novotny will not need as much of a runway as many of his peers. He's extremely easy to project to the pro game.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

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I know y'all are screaming at me to give this particular pick a rest, but I did not do this on purpose. I make every mock draft list before looking at my previous one.

And defenseman Ryan Lin was fresh in my mind—recency bias alert, perhaps—as he was one of the best defensemen at the recent U18 World Championships. A bright light in a not-so-bright tournament for Canada, for sure. 

Lin's main traits that keep drawing me to the Blue Jackets connection are his intelligence and his already mature, detailed game. Combine that with some simply fantastic skating—especially his edges and his agility, hello evasiveness—and you've got the foundation for a really solid player. It's still just a foundation, though, because he's got wrinkles in his game that need ironing out. Missed opportunities or bad habits creeping into later shifts immediately spring to mind.

Engagement and brains are never in question. He's excellent at feasting on opponents' mistakes and turning them into opportunities. The only question is whether he can add necessary muscle and refine that decision-making.

Another member of the CHL-to-NCAA pipeline, which appears to be the new development path for top players, Lin is headed to the University of Denver in the fall.

15. St. Louis Blues (via DET): Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga)

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Even I, a person who gravitates toward the flashy and the offensively gifted, have come to appreciate Oliver Suvanto's game this season. There's just something about a two-way center who actually embodies what that means, and doesn't just get the label slapped on him because he's a center with lower production numbers.

And while I would wait till later in the round to select him, it's extremely easy for me to believe that the St. Louis Blues, with their multiple picks, would go for the big, sturdy center who brings a positive presence to both ends of the ice.

Suvanto impressed me more in his U20 regular-season play than he did at the U18 World Championships this year—I expected to see more offensive ability shining in a tournament against his peers. Still, there is a maturity to his game supported by his high-end intelligence. I want to see improvement in his skating (specifically edgework), and I want more assurance that both sides of his game will translate to the professional level, but he's still a first-rounder for sure.

16. Washington Capitals: Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw Spirit

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Looking at pure skill alone, Nikita Klepov of the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL is among the top players available in this year's class. This is roughly the range I feel he should be picked; where he will be picked remains in question, but the Washington Capitals feel like a pretty solid landing spot. His 97 points in 67 regular season games—yes, he was the OHL's top scorer this year—along with 5 points in 4 playoff games come from incredible puck skills and a motor that does not stop. Klepov is relentless in chasing down plays, and high-end processing and vision will propel his game forward into one more suited for the professional game. He's a fascinating one, flashing both power forward potential and more dynamic creative potential. 

Skating mechanics are a legitimate concern, but he's headed to play college hockey in the fall. I think a steadier-paced season that allows him to develop his skating (he needs more of a separating factor) and his offensive consistency is exactly what he needs. Klepov is part of that ever-impressive group either playing for or committed to Michigan State University. With two picks in this first round, if I was the Capitals I would bet high on potential here.

17. Los Angeles Kings: Elton Hermansson, RW/LW, MoDo Hockey (Hockey Allsvenskan)

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While 17th feels a little high for Hermansson from my perspective, I've mentioned before that tiers are a better way to gauge this year's first rounders than strict specific picks. I can see an argument for a team picking Hermansson here if they're convinced he's their guy and that he'll live up to the potential we see when he's at his best.

With that said, just about every player available in the first round of this year's draft is a project in some way. If you're confident in your development staff and in the potential you see in the player, why not take the chance?

So, who is Hermansson at his best? A highly skilled playmaker who can create in a variety of situations. Driving this creation is excellent vision and facets of his skating that are very good, specifically his edgework and the top speeds he can reach (the posture needs work).

Between that vision and his high-end stick work, we've seen real promise in his playmaking; the question is whether it can translate to the NHL level. He definitely makes unforced errors at times, but questionable decision-making is a concern I have for several players in this draft, not just him alone.

18. Washington Capitals (via ANA): Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (SHL)

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Swedish defender Malte Gustafsson continues to rise in my esteem with more viewings, and I don't seem to be the only one who feels that way. With two picks in this first round (and so close together, in this iteration!), the Washington Capitals can more easily choose to go with a higher-risk choice for the second selection.

He's worth it, and he brings an intelligence that shines on the defensive side of the game—something exciting for me, because typically when we talk about intelligent defensemen, we're referring to those offense-first playmaking types.

Gustafsson is an excellent skater, with edgework that allows him to keep up with and cut off opponents. His awareness and intelligence are such that, while he is currently more defense-focused, I feel confident that, over time, he can develop the offensive side of his game as well to be a true two-way defenseman.

He most recently played significant minutes for Sweden at the U18 World Championships, where his team took home the gold. I could see him going anywhere from 10th overall to the last group of the first round, but I think the earlier side is more likely.

19. Utah Mammoth: Ilia Morozov, F, Miami University (NCAA)

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As they're a newer team, I'm still trying to pin down what exactly the Utah Mammoth's draft strategy is. With that said, you can't really go wrong with a younger, intelligent, highly engaged center whose skill set projects well to the next level. Miami University forward Ilia Morozov was a significant part of the team, going from a three-win record the previous season to 18 wins, and finished the regular season with 20 points in 36 games, including 8 goals.

If Miami's power play improves next season, I expect that total to jump even more than it might otherwise.

Morozov brings high-level anticipation, especially defensively, and a level of engagement across all areas of the ice that is a breath of fresh air after watching some players in this class act like t-ball players picking daisies in the outfield when they don't have the puck. Quick reaction times, intelligent problem-solving under pressure, and disrupting opponents' passing lanes are all standout elements of his game that I noticed happening repeatedly.

His top-end speed isn't the highest, but it's good enough to project the rest of his skill set to the NHL level. I'd like to see him lean more into using his hockey sense to add a layer of creativity and selection to his playmaking moving forward.

20. San Jose Sharks (via EDM): Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

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First round-level prospects in this year's draft are more accurately divided into tiers than strictly numbered picks to me, and Victoriaville Tigres center Egor Shilov is one I can see being selected anywhere, either in the second half of round one or the first third of round two.

In this mock, because the San Jose Sharks have multiple picks, I thought it was easy to buy that they'd take the chance on him here. Shilov is another player who has chosen the CHL-to-NCAA path, moving from the QMJHL to Boston University in the fall.

The Sharks are building an impressive well of prospects, and Shilov would be no exception. Terrific hockey sense underpins his entire game: processing and selecting plays, carrying the puck, and decision-making in tense moments. His stickwork is also high-end.

My chief concern about whether his game will translate to the NHL is the same as with many other players: his pace. There's not enough urgency to his game right now to make me feel confident that all the disparate positive elements of his game will combine into a consistently involved player.

The pressure cooker of college hockey, playing against older and larger opponents, should help address this.

21. Philadelphia Flyers: Juho Piiparinen, D, Tappara (Liiga)

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While I personally tend to gravitate toward the more agile, offensively-minded defensemen, there are still defensemen who play a defense-first game and bring significant value.

Talking about this player archetype can too often make people think of the big lumbering "stay-at-home" types who can't move. That's not what Juho Piiparinen is. He does bring size, but he uses it to suffocate opponents, removing the time and space they have to get up to any shenanigans, and then once he has the puck back, he'll slip a teammate the perfect pass.

He's one of the youngest players available this year, which to me makes the composure he displayed that much more impressive. We last saw him at the U18 World Championships, where he showcased his NHL-projectable skill set across most game situations. He's intelligent and reliable — the number of times you're going to hear his name spoken on a game broadcast is very few, and that's because he's not out here making glaring mistakes.

I would like to see him add an extra gear in his playmaking ability and refine his decision-making, but he brings very real value that I think the Flyers would appreciate. 

22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

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I left Xavier Villeneuve out of our last mock draft because there's a tiny part of me that looks at the 2025 first round and feels deep in my soul that we may have a repeat this year—another draft where no defensemen under six feet tall are selected. And Villeneuve is definitely under six feet tall, coming in at 5'11" and 157 lbs. 

But he's also inside my top ten in my personal rankings. And over the last few years, I've learned that the current Pittsburgh Penguins scouting staff values skill, even if it's raw, over just about anything else. Villeneuve has it to spare.

He missed a good chunk of time this season, only playing 37 games, and finished at just over a point-per-game pace with 38. Size doesn't matter when it comes to Villeneuve, who makes an impact each and every time he steps onto the ice. He's agile, dynamic, and brilliant, with fantastic puck skills and the ability to suffocate opponents in the neutral zone.

I want to see more consistency in his own end, but that's not a deficit in his game so much as it is him being offense-focused and not having developed the other side quite as much yet. It'll happen.

23. Boston Bruins: JP Hurlbert, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

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Kamloops Blazers center JP Hurlbert is one of a group of players linked to different teams in our mock drafts all season.

I don't hate the thought of him going to the Boston Bruins. He would elevate their prospect pool for sure (right now, James Hagens is the undisputed top dog in that fight, and Hurlbert would land right behind him).

Hurlbert's vision and offensive instincts are unquestionably high-end; he finished the WHL regular season with 97 points in 68 games and added 3 more points in 4 playoff games. Play away from the puck was a concern, but the back half of the season looked much better.

The main concern for Hurlbert is whether his offensive game can translate to higher levels of play. Improving physicality and poise under pressure would go a long way toward reassuring us of that. The NCAA environment could be a good place to push those elements of his game this fall.

24. Vancouver Canucks (via MIN): Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgardens IF U20 (U20 Nationell)

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When you have more than one pick in the first round, there's a little more freedom to think outside the box, especially when that second pick is a later one.

Swedish winger Marcus Nordmark is one that I have ranked as an early second-round player, but who could easily be selected in the first. Especially if the Canucks are picking.

His maturity and composure feel like attributes that a team in freefall—to put it kindly—might value in a draft pick, and thankfully for the Canucks that's not all he brings to the table.

Nordmark's vision and intelligence are the key attributes that drive the rest of his game. He utilizes it, along with a high-end set of tools, for both goal-scoring and playmaking, though his creation tends to happen more to the outside (not my favorite, but better than not creating at all).

He's a player who will need a longer runway, and for that reason, the Canucks may not be the best fit development-wise, but I can see them selecting him nonetheless. Once those skills coalesce into a well-rounded player, there's real value there.

25. Montreal Canadiens: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP

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Wyatt Cullen is higher in my rankings than he's going here, mostly because rankings of him go anywhere from mid-first round to early second.

The ones that lean toward the latter are putting too much weight on his slow start—a slow start that only happened because he tore his hip flexor clean off the bone and didn't get into an actual game until the end of October this season. 

Thankfully, Cullen spent the rest of the season showcasing exactly why he belongs in the first round. 

With how successful the Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson picks have been for them, I can see the Montreal Canadiens going back to the USNTDP well for a guy like Wyatt Cullen.

On pure skill alone, he's one of the best available this season. Cullen's vision and hockey sense are high-end, and he's got a motor to match; he's basically always involved in play.

He's just as likely to showcase creative playmaking as he is to get involved in a puck battle. There needs to be more explosiveness in his skating, as I think it can help ensure success at the pro level, and I'd like to see him add muscle after a significant growth spurt over the last year.

26. Seattle Kraken (via TBL): Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

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Someone is going to select Liam Ruck later than he should be picked, and it might as well be the Kraken, who could stand some good fortune going their way. And hey, we're diversifying their prospect pool—this one is a winger! And a smart one, to boot.

Breaking the 100-point mark and the 40-goal mark in the WHL in your draft year is enough to catch any team's eye, but the offensive output itself isn't even the best part of his game. Ruck is an incredibly intelligent player, with vision and anticipation that others in this draft class would kill to have. 

There is one caveat to that intelligence, and it's that I really want to see him add a layer of explosiveness to his skating. We're confident he can translate that high-end hockey sense to the next level, but he currently lacks a distinguishing factor in first-step speed.

He's going to be an NHLer regardless, though; the way he creates off the cycle is a dream, and his detail game is eye-popping. Improved explosiveness and agility will be the difference maker between whether he's a top-line winger or more of a middle-six type.

27. New York Rangers (via DAL): Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

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Vancouver Giants winger Mathis Preston may have been limited to just 10 games with his new team after the WHL trade deadline due to injury, but he came out swinging at this year's U18 World Championships. Preston was a bright light on a less-than-impressive Canadian team, netting 6 points in 5 games, and his presence was felt in ways that didn't show up on the scoresheet.

It was nice to see the player we'd been missing for a good chunk of the season, even if the end result of a semifinal exit was less than desirable for Canada.

Preston is an extremely smart player and good problem-solver, and he doesn't cave under pressure. He'd manage quite nicely in the pressure cooker that has been the New York Rangers over the last several seasons. His skating and stick work are high-end as well.

If we see more offensive consistency from him next season (the kind that's hard to find when you miss significant time with injury), I'll feel good about projecting him as a steady NHL presence down the line.

28. Calgary Flames (via VGK): Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

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If we say Quebec Remparts center Maddox Dagenais fits the vibe of the prospect pool the Calgary Flames are building, do you know what I mean? Zayne Parekh, Cole Reschny, Luke Misa; he just feels like he'd slot right in.

There's a wide range where I could see Dagenais being selected: as early as 20 or so and as late as the mid-second round. There was a second thought for a bit, whether his hockey sense was the real deal, but we've settled on the fact that it is; for that reason alone, any team that picks him will be happy with the results.

Right now, Dagenais is a project. The best way I can describe him to you is an artist's palette full of skills that you feel confident will project to the NHL, but right now they're just blobs of paint. The painting hasn't been created yet.

Those skills (or blobs of paint) include a motor that doesn't quit, solid playmaking with flashes of creativity and deception, vision with a knack for finding teammates, extremely effective reverse hits, and much more. He was one of Canada's best players at the recent U18 World Championships; with time and patience, we'll see that at the pro level as well.

29. Buffalo Sabres: Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

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It seems like every other prospect we write about in this year's draft is headed to Michigan State in the fall. What is in the water over there?

Center Jack Hextall spent this season with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL, finishing the regular season at nearly a point-per-game (58 in 59), and like many others, he'll be joining Michigan State to play NCAA hockey when the season starts back up.

From what we've seen of the Buffalo Sabres this season, we have no trouble seeing Hextall fit in with their identity. He's versatile, useful on either the wing or at center, and trusted both with the puck and without. We've seen tantalizing moments where he's shown deception and creativity in his already good playmaking; he needs to make that a regular thing next year.

He's a legitimate threat on the power play and will likely get an opportunity to show that off at Michigan State. Like many others in this year's first round, he could stand to add muscle. Thankfully, college hockey is a great place for that.

30. Carolina Hurricanes: Jaxon Cover, LW, London Knights (OHL)

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One day, we'll pick just the right guy and nail the Carolina Hurricanes pick.

Until then, we'll keep trying. London Knights winger Jaxon Cover is another guy we've not seen in our mock draft in a minute, but who has returned at the end of the round. He fits the Hurricanes' pick mold pretty nicely: raw, for sure, but a genuinely outstanding skill set. They have the top-team status required to give him a longer runway to regular NHL ice time, and I think he's a player for whom that patience would pay off in spades.

Highlights of Cover's game include an almost preternatural ability to spot an opponent's mistake and feast on it thanks to his own puck-handling skills. We mentioned last time, when we featured him in a mock draft, that we'd like to see him work on his game away from the puck; there has been noticeable improvement in that area in the back half of the season.

Cover is committed to Penn State, but appears to be returning to London for another season first. Expect to see his offensive output increase as he takes on a more significant role for the Knights.

31. St. Louis Blues (via COL): Adam Valentini, LW, University of Michigan (NCAA)

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Though he wasn't in our last mock draft, University of Michigan winger Adam Valentini is back for this one.

He could go anywhere from about 25th to the middle of the second round; I personally have him as an early second-rounder. That said, this is the St. Louis Blues' third pick of the round, and it's extremely easy to justify taking more of a chance with a late pick like this generally, never mind when you've already selected twice.

Valentini spent last season with the Chicago Steel of the USHL and was recently a point-per-game (5 in 5) player for Canada at the U18 World Championships. (We won't go into detail about the part where he signed with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL in June of last year and then changed his mind and went to college.)

A standout of Valentini's game is his tenacity, something that the Blues will no doubt value highly. His quick hands and quicker feet in small areas are difficult for opponents to keep up with, supported by excellent vision, and his details are high-end. Basically, he's got a skill that allows him to be productively annoying. That's a good situation to be in. He does need to improve his skating, particularly his top speed.

32. Ottawa Senators: Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL) 

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As mentioned in our recent risers and fallers piece, we've been tempted to remove center Ryan Roobroeck from the first round entirely.

We're not going to, choosing instead to bet on the magic we've seen in the moments when he does put it all together. You can imagine the Ottawa Senators doing the same. There's not a lot of grey area here, unfortunately—Roobroeck is this year's most prominent boom-or-bust guy. But on the off chance he does succeed, here's what the Senators would get.

Roobroeck's skill set in a vacuum is sublime; he has high-end, even elite tools, including an NHL-caliber shot that beats goalies with ease. Should he find his offensive pace consistently, rather than continuing to play passively for stretches, we'll see his excellent passing and phenomenal finishing as hallmarks of his game rather than flashes in the pan.

He would be better suited to a team that is already a contender, one that can give him the longer runway to the NHL he needs, but the Senators tend to go for players like Roobroeck. If he's not already gone, this feels like an easy swing.