Updated 2026 NHL Mock Draft After 2nd Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs

The second round is done and dusted, and with that we have a few more draft spots solidified—at least until teams start trading picks willy-nilly to get new roster players. So we've got a few weeks at least. 

The order at the top of the draft hasn't changed, and we're still projecting the Toronto Maple Leafs to select Gavin McKenna first overall. We'll keep an ear to the ground the rest of the way to see if there's any sort of vibe shift on that.

Their prospect pool could use the boost, unlike the San Jose Sharks, who are the embodiment of the rich getting richer when it comes to their prospects and this year's first round.

Last chance to get a guess in for your team's pick before we dive in.

Draft order as of May 19, per the NHL, post-second round.

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 could potentially galaxy brain a first overall selection, signs do not currently point to the Leafs being one of them. McKenna is obviously an easy pick at first overall no matter who is selecting, 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 concerns regarding 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, frankly, everyone. People have strong opinions on the Leafs).

Phenomenal processing skills, puckhandling that's a dream come to life, incredible offensive instincts and vision—it would be the easiest thing in the world to sing Gavin McKenna's praises all day long. Our last mock mentioned that any issues with engagement levels or pace off puck can be fixed with the right motivation; there is arguably 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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Our recent scouting report of defenseman Chase Reid noted that he is, by our considerations, the best defenseman in this draft.

It feels likely the San Jose Sharks will agree and move accordingly. Particularly given they've had ample opportunity to build up their forward corps over the last few drafts. If they look to the blue line this year, given the rest of the pool they've assembled, our gut feeling says it's Reid.

Take a moment and imagine it: 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 dictating the flow of the game any time he's on the ice. There's not much to add that everyone in the prospect space hasn't already said a million times over. 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. We have 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 Sedins 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 of all the things to point out about him, 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 it appears Stenberg is a lot more development-questions-proof than their other options.

This is really an excellent scenario for them. He's got a never-quit motor, elite hockey sense, and a game that is driven by phenomenal skating abilities and stick work. He brings scoring that they're no doubt looking for as well.

It's difficult to see them letting 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 (or in this case, lottery balls), here's another easy pick.

Brantford Bulldogs center Caleb Malhotra has been rising across the season on most boards, mine included, 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 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 in what has become 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—the options are let him season or rush him into the NHL. The hope is that 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, it would be easy to see the team with the next pick, the New York Rangers, snapping Malhotra up immediately.

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

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As noted, if Caleb Malhotra is available here, chances are non-zero that he's the New York Rangers' guy. If he isn't, well—it feels likely that they pivot and look for a defenseman.

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

While he's not the top defenseman available, his runway to the NHL feels shorter than others because of the way several elements of his game easily translate to the pros. That feels like something that the Rangers would appreciate.

Carels' skating is a standout aspect of his game, with agility and edgework as well as a nice explosiveness. We described him once as "pairing meanness with efficiency", and that's a strong compliment.

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 that he eats heavy minutes in important 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 our rankings, but more reasonable. Particularly because with the prospect pool the Flames have been building, they can afford to give him more time to develop and to work his way out of some bad habits he's gotten into. One of the most important for him to work on? Poor decision-making in the moment. 

On our last draft board we 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 in their pool, he's less likely to be rushed than he would with other teams.

It would be good for him to play another season of college hockey, and to work with a good skating coach in the process.

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

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We've been toying with a few different scenarios for Swedish forward Viggo Bjorck across our mock drafts so far, and are no closer to actually pinning down where he'll be selected.

This time, we're testing out the Seattle Kraken because he belongs inside 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 about both his skill level and how trustworthy coaches feel he is.

Something that is really eye-catching when first watching him, and that over time has become clear 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 they were answered quickly. His puck skills are top-notch, and though we have wavered about how exactly highly we want to rank his hockey IQ, there's no question that it's good.

He's an excellent playmaker, though it would be great if he could 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 regardless; 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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Previously, we said defenseman Alberts Smits felt made in a lab for a few select teams, and assigned him to the St. Louis Blues.

This time, we're handing him off to one of the other teams on that short list: the Winnipeg Jets.

At the end of the day, Smits brings size and skating and a defense-first mindset. He's like catnip for teams who chase the kind of identity that the Jets do.

Across the season Smits has played in a wide variety of environments and levels of play, including both World Juniors and the Olympics. It's a benefit in the sense that succeeding in this kind of situation requires adaptability, but it also makes it harder for scouts to truly know if 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 our only concern for him.

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

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

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Last time, we threw defenseman Daxon Rudolph at the Panthers. Now we explore who they might look for if they choose to select a forward. (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 that it is easy to imagine the Panthers making. Their mindset would likely be 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 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 as 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, it would be difficult to picture them picking 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 very nice element of patience to his game.

There are few glaring areas to directly critique about his game, except to say he could stand to be a little less patient at times, and instead bring more intensity to his play. And for someone with his size, a bit more physicality is typically expected. 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 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 realistically chances are nonzero that they trade one), we're going for it. 

Belchetz projects as a power forward type, bringing massive size and strong puckhandling abilities. He's skilled at creating in transition, thanks to his excellent offensive instincts and vision, and his ability to create netfront 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 higher ceiling, it's easy to decide 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 we said last time: if a player's absolute floor looks to be "useful and efficient third liner who is strong defensively", we're going to take notice.

He's a mobile skater, though adding a separating factor in terms of acceleration from his edges would be preferable, and he already has an NHL frame. It's easy to fall into wondering how his skating and detail game would 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; 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 which prospect was most likely to make opponents cry out of sheer frustration, Novotny would be the answer. 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 on a consistent basis, he really projects as a power forward type. 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 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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Obviously we've done the Ryan-Lin-to-CBJ pick several times, but it happens organically each go-round. Lin was also one of the best defensemen at the recent U18 World Championships, so there is some recency bias at play. His outstanding performance was a bright light in a not-so-bright tournament for Canada.

Lin's main traits that keep pulling us to the Blue Jackets connection are his intelligence and his already mature detail 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—only 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 people who gravitate toward the flashy and the offensively gifted player archetype 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 waiting till later in the round to select him would make the most sense, it's extremely easy 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 more in his U20 regular-season play than he did at the U18 World Championships this year—expecting to see more offensive ability shining in a tournament against his peers doesn't feel unreasonable. Still, there is a maturity to his game supported by his high-end intelligence. Chief among what we need to see moving forward is improvement to his skating (edgework specifically), as well as 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 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. 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.

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

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While 17th feels a little high for Hermansson on the whole, we've mentioned before that tiers are a better way to gauge this year's first rounders than strict specific picks. There's definitely an argument for a team picking Hermansson here if they're convinced he's their guy, and convinced that he is going to 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 part that is still in question is whether it can translate to the NHL level. He definitely makes unforced errors at times, but questionable decision-making is a concern 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 our esteem with more viewings, and we don't seem to be the only ones who feel 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, 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 currently is a more defense-focused player, the confidence is there that over time he can develop the offensive side of his game as well to be a true two-way defenseman. He most recently ate significant minutes for Sweden at the U18 World Championships, where his team ended up taking home the gold. He could go anywhere from 10th overall to the last group of the first round, but the earlier side feels more likely.

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

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As they're a newer team, we're 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, expect to see that total jump even more than it might otherwise.

Morozov brings high-level anticipation, especially defensively, and a level of engagement in all areas of the ice that is a breath of fresh air after watching some of the 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 we 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. Moving forward it would be good to see him lean more into using his hockey sense to add a layer of creativity and selection to his playmaking.

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, and Victoriaville Tigres center Egor Shilov is one who could be 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, 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, decision-making in tense moments. His stickwork is also high-end. A chief issue with whether or not 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 feel confident 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: Alexander Command, C, Orebro HK (SHL)

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Swedish center Alexander Command brings a work ethic and consistency that fits perfectly with the Flyers' ethos, he's really strong one-on-one, and he's got an excellent hockey IQ. He's one who is difficult to pin down a "most realistic draft spot" for, but in terms of team fit this one definitely works. Particularly after how the end of the regular season and postseason played out for the Flyers.

High-end vision, efficient physicality, and ability to create in less-than-ideal circumstances are just a few of the things that Command brings to the table. He's almost constantly engaged, and most of the time his decision-making is good. There's also a very nice maturity to his game that I think is created by that work ethic and intelligence. His pace needs some work, and his skating definitely needs help (his speed, specifically), but those are issues that can be addressed in development. And hey, Porter Martone's chief issue last year was floating around the outside rather than being constantly engaged; that wasn't an issue for him in the playoffs. Wrinkles get ironed out with time.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP

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Wyatt Cullen is a player who you will see higher on our next draft board than he's being selected in this mock; rankings of him go anywhere from mid-first round to early second. The ones that lean toward the latter are, in our view, putting too much weight on his slow start. It's important to remember that the slow start 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. 

Cullen is a player we've sent to the Penguins in a previous mock draft, and there are myriad reasons why he makes sense for this team. 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 never not involved in play. He's just as likely to showcase creative playmaking as he is to get involved in a puck battle. More explosiveness in his skating will be key moving forward, as it can help ensure success at the pro level, and he needs to add muscle after he went through a significant growth spurt over the last year and change.

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

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Kamloops Blazers center JP Hurlbert is one of the group of players we've been tossing at different teams in our mock drafts all season, trying to find what feels like the right fit. In the process, we came to the conclusion that along with the Flyers and the Penguins (his last two mock landing spots), another natural landing spot feels like the Boston Bruins. He would elevate the Bruins' prospect pool upon joining, without question. 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 like several others for whom that was a potential issue this year, the back half of the season looked much better. A main concern for Hurlbert these days is whether his offensive game can translate to higher levels of play. Physicality and poise under pressure improving would go a long way toward reassuring that it would; 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 we have earmarked as an early second-round player, but who we can easily see being selected in the first. That in-between tier, if you will, of players who could go anywhere from about pick 24 to pick 40. Especially if the Canucks are picking. Nordmark's maturity and composure feel like attributes that a team in freefall—to put it kindly—might value in a draft pick.

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 the best-case scenario, 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 it's easy to picture them selecting him nonetheless. Once those skills coalesce into a well-rounded player (and the chances are better than not that they will), there's real value there.

25. Seattle Kraken (via TBL): Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

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Xavier Villeneuve has been left out of some previous mock drafts because of what happened in the 2025 first round and concern that we may have a repeat this year—another draft where no defensemen under six feet tall are selected. And he is definitely under six feet tall, coming in at 5'11" and 157 pounds. 

But he's also inside the top 10 in our rankings. And over the last few years, it's been easy to infer that certain teams and their scouting staffs value 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. More consistency in his own end is a must moving forward, 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 of things quite as much yet. It'll happen.

26. 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 six points in 5 games, and his presence was felt in ways that didn't show up on the scoresheet as well. 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. There's a solid chance 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), it'll be easier to project him as a steady NHL presence down the line.

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

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It feels like every other prospect we write about in this year's NHL 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, it is not difficult in the slightest to picture Hextall fitting 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 some tantalizing moments where he's shown deception and creativity in his already good playmaking; moving forward it would be good to see him focus on making that a regular thing.

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.

28. Calgary Flames (via VGK): 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 Flames. After all, Ruck is practically in their backyard (relatively, anyway). 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 others in this draft class would kill to have. 

There is one caveat to that intelligence, and it's that he really needs to add a layer of explosiveness to his skating. The main factor keeping us from saying yes, he can translate that high-end hockey sense to the next level, is that he currently lacks a separating factor in terms of that 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.

29. Montreal Canadiens: Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

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It's the easiest gimme in the world to predict the Montreal Canadiens selecting a Quebecois forward out of the QMJHL, but this isn't just province-related nepotism. There's a wide range where Dagenais may be selected: as early as 20 or so and as late as the mid-second round, so the Habs taking a swing on him here is very easy to justify. It took a while to decide whether his hockey sense was the real deal, but we've settled on that it is, to the point that any team that wants to pick him just about anywhere has our support.

Right now Dagenais is a project. The best way to 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 a whole lot more. He was definitely 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.

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

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One day we'll narrow our focus correctly and nail the Carolina Hurricanes pick. Until then we're going to enjoy 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 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. Last time we featured him in a mock draft we noted that it would be good 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, another player taking advantage of the CHL-to-NCAA pipeline, and it's a path that will be great for his personal development needs.

31. St. Louis Blues (via COL): Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

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Oshawa Generals center Brooks Rogowski is another player we've been throwing at teams like a piece of spaghetti at a wall to find out what sticks. This go-round it's the St. Louis Blues. As noted in their above picks, the most likely scenario for this pick still feels like a trade of some kind, but if they decide to make all three, Rogowski makes sense. This is primarily due to the fact that he projects pretty easily to the NHL. Some might call him boring, since he isn't the flashiest, but we just call him "effective".

The primary attraction to Rogowski's game is his attention to detail; he's a huge guy, but he isn't over-reliant on his size to be effective, instead choosing to lean on his intelligence. His vision is high-end, supporting his ability to make good decisions in the moment and allowing him to support more creative linemates in an efficient way. While it would be great to see him add an extra gear, especially before he makes the transition to pro hockey, there's not a lot of risk in this pick. Rogowski is another player headed to Michigan State this fall.

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

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As mentioned in our recent risers and fallers piece, it's been tempting to remove center Ryan Roobroeck from the first round entirely. We're not going to, choosing instead to bet on the magic that is evident in the moments when he does put it all together. It's extremely easy to envision the Ottawa Senators choosing to do 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 and even elite tools, including an NHL-caliber shot that beats goalies easily. 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 a pan.

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