15. Detroit Red Wings
Kimelman — Michael Hage, C, Chicago (USHL): Hage (6-foot, 188) plays with a physical edge and impressed with his ability to take over games late in the season. The 18-year-old was fourth in the United States Hockey League with 75 points (34 goals, 42 assists) in 54 games, including 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in his final 14. The Red Wings would be able to keep a close eye on Hage’s development when he starts at the University of Michigan in the fall.
Morreale — Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (SWE-2): Born in Norway, Brandsegg-Nygard (6-1, 207) plays in Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second division, and is a hard-working two-way player with good first-step quickness, decision-making and vision. The 18-year-old had 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 41 regular-season games and 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 12 playoff games. He also had five points (three goals, two assists), and averaged 17:22 of ice time in five games for Norway at the 2024 WJC.
16. St. Louis Blues
Kimelman — Michael Brandsegg-Nygard: The Blues go back to Sweden after taking three first-round picks from the country at the 2023 draft (forward Dalibor Dvorsky, No. 10; forward Otto Stenberg, No. 25; defenseman Theo Lindstein, No. 29). Brandsegg-Nygard is a very good skater who is strong on the forecheck and can produce offensive chances from between the dots low in the offensive zone. He led Norway with three goals in seven games at the World Championship.
Morreale — Beckett Sennecke: He has a nice combination of size and strength, brings a heavy shot, plays a 200-foot game and has a solid work ethic. The right-handed shot had 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists), seven power-play goals and was tied for eighth in the OHL with seven game-winning goals. He tied for fourth with 10 goals in 16 games during the playoffs.
17. Washington Capitals
Kimelman — Cole Eiserman: He has the best shot in the draft, scoring 58 goals in 57 games this season, and his 127 goals are the most by any player in NTDP history. But is he just a sensational shot? Scouts seem to be torn on that issue. Some believe he can become more of a threat as a playmaker and be more reliable defensively. He’ll spend at least one season at Boston University trying to expand his game. If he can, Eiserman has the chance to be one of the top players in the draft class.
Morreale — Michael Hage: He is considered a two-way player with a lot of creativity. Hage led Chicago in scoring during the regular season and had four points (two goals, two assists) in two USHL playoff games. It was a big return for Hage, who played 13 games last season after missing six months recovering from a shoulder injury sustained on his first day of training camp. He’s the type of player that drives a team into position when they need it, generating chances.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from New York Islanders)
Kimelman — Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL): Scouts like the way the 18-year-old improved his skating as the season went on, further improving his 200-foot game. With Bedard, Oliver Moore (2023, No. 19) and Frank Nazar (2022, No. 13) the Blackhawks have stockpiled high-skill centers. Boisvert (6-2, 183) brings a bit more size and a 200-foot game to go along with the skill that saw him total 68 points (36 goals, 32 assists) in 61 games this season.
Morreale — Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (RUS): Chernyshov (6-2, 192) had four points (three goals, one assist) in 34 KHL games, and 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 22 games with Dynamo in Russia’s junior league. The 18-year-old right-handed shot, who thrives on his off wing, has the look of a playmaking wing or center with power-forward potential at the next level.
19. Vegas Golden Knights
Kimelman — Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL): Connelly was second in the USHL with 78 points (31 goals, 47 assists) in 52 games, and had nine points (four goals, five assists) in seven games to help the United States win silver at the World Under-18s. Connelly (6-1, 160) has game-breaking talent, but there are questions about his on- and off-ice maturity that need to be answered by whatever team selects him. That includes a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head in the third period of the gold-medal game at the U-18s that led to three Canada power-play goals, and a 3-2 United States lead becoming a 6-4 loss. The 18-year-old is committed to Providence College.
Morreale — Stian Solberg: The Golden Knights need to start thinking about future replacements for veteran defensemen Alec Martinez, Brayden McNabb and Alex Pietrangelo. Solberg had a strong second half to his season and finished with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 42 regular-season games and nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 17 playoff games in the top men’s league in Norway. He is expected to play for Farjestad in the Swedish Hockey League next season.
20. New York Islanders (from Tampa Bay Lightning via Chicago Blackhawks)
Kimelman — Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph (OHL): Luchanko (5-11, 187) is an explosive skater who can contribute on the power play and penalty kill. When injuries and graduations to pro hockey forced the 17-year-old into a larger role this season, Luchanko responded with a team-high 74 points (20 goals, 54 assists) in 68 games; he had 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 46 games last season. With Bo Horvat, 29, Brock Nelson, 32, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, 31, expected to be the Islanders’ top three centers next season, finding youth and athleticism at the position could be the best direction here.
Morreale — Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (FIN): A natural sniper with a good physical presence, Hemming (6-1, 205) plays a power forward-type game. The 17-year-old right-handed shot is strong on his skates and difficult to contain down low. He had 11 points (seven goals, four assists) and averaged 10:04 of ice time in 40 games in his first season in Liiga, and had two assists, eight shots on goal and averaged 8:45 of ice time in seven games for Finland at the 2024 WJC.
21. Los Angeles Kings
Kimelman — Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George (WHL): Parascak’s hockey sense is his best attribute and a big reason he was able to lead WHL rookies with 105 points (43 goals, 62 assists) in 68 games despite not having not having overwhelming size (6-1, 179) or speed. He’s fearless in traffic and was able to produce from the slot. All the elements of his game that are good now only will get better as the 18-year-old continues to develop physically.
Morreale — Jett Luchanko: The right-handed shot, is smart and tenacious on pucks, and had 33 power-play points (30 assists) in 68 games. He can play center or wing and finished among the top five in six of 10 on-ice categories at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January, placing first in reaction with puck and second in transition ability with puck.
22. Nashville Predators
Kimelman — Adam Jiricek: The Predators have made no secrets about size on defense being a need and Jiricek supplies that to go along with a high skill set and a right-handed shot. Jiricek, who turns 18 the first night of the draft, only played 19 games in the top league in the Czech Republic because of a knee injury, but is expected to be healthy for the start of next season, when he should be able to again show his strong skating and an offensive game that projects to get better as he adjusts to playing a full season in the top men’s league.
Morreale — Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL): Greentree (6-3, 215), Windsor’s captain, led the Spitfires in goals (36), assists (54), points (90) and power-play goals (11) in 64 games. The 18-year-old left-handed shot can protect the puck, goes hard to the net and is very nimble and creative for a player his size. He had four points (two goals, two assists) in seven games to help Canada win the gold medal at the World Under-18s.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs
Kimelman — Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL): Elick (6-3, 202) is the kind of defenseman the Maple Leafs could be looking for: a big, physical right-handed shot who is considered an excellent skater with a good shot he was able to consistently get on net from the blue line. The Maple Leafs haven’t drafted a defenseman in the first round since Rasmus Sandin in 2018, but Elick could be the player to change that.
Morreale — Sacha Boisvert: Big, strong, and ultra-competitive, Boisvert was born in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, and is expected to further his development at the University of North Dakota next season, where he would become the first Quebec-born player with the program. He takes pride in his two-way game and success on face-offs and was fifth in the USHL with 36 goals in 61 games.
24. Colorado Avalanche
Kimelman — Ivan Chernyshov: The Avalanche will have to be patient to get Chernyshov to North America, but the reward could be worth it for a big, skilled forward who already has shown an ability to use his body to attack the net and produce as an 18-year-old in the KHL.
Morreale — Trevor Connelly: His game is predicated on speed, skill, vision and compete and he’s too good to pass up at this point in the draft. He averaged 1.50 points in 52 games, first in the USHL among players with at least 30 games.
25. Ottawa Senators (from Boston Bruins, via Detroit Red Wings)
Kimelman — Egor Surin, C, Yaroslavl Jr. (RUS-JR): After taking a defenseman with their first pick, the Senators could opt for Surin (6-1, 192), who is well-regarded for his skating, work ethic and compete level, and was third in scoring in Russia’s junior league during the playoffs with 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 19 games.
Morreale — Terik Parascak: He really opened eyes this season to become a blue-chip prospect, contributing on the power play and penalty kill because of his speed, vision, and intelligence on the ice. He led WHL rookies with 43 goals and four short-handed goals and tied for the lead with 12 power-play goals in 68 games. He maintained a high level of play all season and proved he deserved to be in the conversation among other top-end talent this season.
26. Montreal Canadiens (from Winnipeg Jets)
Kimelman — Liam Greentree: He has NHL-ready size and showed a high level of maturity as captain and leading scorer on a Windsor team that finished 19th among 20 teams in the OHL. As one NHL scout said, “I think he’s a beast right now. Imagine him in two years.”
Morreale — Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski (QMJHL): Gill’s consistency as a stable puck transporter from the back end with an improved defensive game was impressive during the second half of the season; some scouts have compared him to Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews. The 17-year-old right-handed shot (6-4, 186) had 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists) in 65 Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League games, and two assists in seven games for Canada at the World U-18s. Gill sees the ice well, finds options when pressured, and can transition effectively from his end. He’ll need to increase his strength for the next level, but he offers tremendous upside.
27. Carolina Hurricanes
Kimelman — Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo Jr. (SWE-JR): The Hurricanes haven’t drafted a defenseman earlier than the fourth round the past two years and haven’t selected one in the first round since Jake Bean in 2016. But without a defenseman on the roster signed beyond the 2025-26 season, there’s a need build prospect depth at the position. Sahlin Wallenius (6-0, 180) is a very good skater with great vision and puck movement skills. The 18-year-old had 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 43 games in Sweden’s junior league.
Morreale — Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL): The strong, left-handed shot is a well-conditioned athlete with fantastic compete and hockey sense. In other words, Beaudoin (6-2, 210) has the makeup of a player Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour certainly will appreciate. A responsible 200-foot player, the 18-year-old likely will play on the wing once he reaches the NHL. He had 62 points (28 goals, 34 assists) in 67 regular-season games, and five points (two goals, three assists) in six OHL playoff games.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver Canucks)
Kimelman — Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (FIN): Kiviharju began the season as a potential top-10 pick, but a dislocated left kneecap in October sidelined him until World U-18s in April. When healthy, Kiviharju (6-0, 184) is a strong skater who is poised and confident with the puck even as an 18-year-old playing in Liiga. The Flames could get a potential steal if Kiviharju is available at this spot.
Morreale — Leo Sahlin Wallenius: He could turn out to be the best Sweden-born player in this draft class; his ceiling is that high. He’s a smooth skater with high hockey IQ, can transition the puck well and has a playing style comparable to Red Wings defenseman prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka, the No. 17 pick of the 2023 draft, according to NHL director of European Scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen.
29. Dallas Stars
Kimelman — Sam O’Reilly, RW, London (OHL): O’Reilly (6-1, 184) is a very good skater who plays a competitive, 200-foot game and seemed to earn more ice time on a very talented London team as the season went on. The 18-year-old led OHL rookies during the playoffs with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 16 games.
Morreale — Julius Miettinen, C, Everett (WHL): Miettinen (6-3, 201) came to North America from his native Finland this season and had 67 points (31 goals, 36 assists) in 66 games. The 18-year-old led WHL rookies in face-off wins (585) and his favorite NHL team happens to be the Stars.
30. New York Rangers
Kimelman — Cole Beaudoin: New York’s top two centers, Mika Zibanejad, 31, and Vincent Trocheck, 30, remain productive players, but finding a center who could play on the top two lines in the future could be a focus here. Beaudoin is a fantastic athlete with a high-end compete level who patterns his game after Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner.
Morreale — Charlie Elick: Born in Austria and moved to Calgary when he was 6 years old, Elick has good size and is a right-handed shot who competes and battles with consistency, makes good decisions and can transition effectively from his end. He had 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 65 WHL games this season, and three assists in seven games to help Canada win gold at the U-18 Worlds.
31. Anaheim Ducks (from Edmonton Oilers)
Kimelman — Julius Miettinen: He flew up Central Scouting’s rankings, from No. 49 in the midterm in January to No. 18 in the final release in April. He improved his skating as he adjusted to the pace of play in his first season in the WHL and was able to show a mean streak that allowed him to create space for himself around the net in the offensive zone. The Ducks have done well adding talented offensive players like Gauthier, Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson. Miettinen projects to be a Wayne Simmonds-type who can use his size and strength to bang in loose pucks around the net.
Morreale — Teddy Stiga, C, USA U-18 (USHL): Stiga (5-10, 178) might have been the most improved NTDP player from last season, when he played a fourth-line role on the U-17 team. This season he was effective in a top-six spot, finishing third on the team with 79 points (36 goals, 43 assists) in 61 games. He had 11 points (six goals, five assists) and tied for the tournament lead with a plus-15 in seven games for the United States at the U-18 Worlds. Stiga, who makes good decisions and is relentless on the puck, is often compared to Trocheck. He’s headed to Boston College next season.
32. Philadelphia Flyers (from Florida Panthers)
Kimelman — Eric Emery, D, USA U-18 (USHL): Emery (6-3, 183) impressed with his high-end athleticism during the NHL Scouting Combine, after already standing out with his smarts, skating and defensive ability. The 18-year-old right-handed shot likely won’t be a big offensive contributor but should develop into a very good complement to a high-end offensive-minded defenseman.
Morreale — Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL): Basha (5-11, 187) has an unbelievable compete level with high-end puck skills, impressive skating and an ability to shake off and beat defenders. He’s great on the forecheck, something the Flyers covet in their players. The Calgary native, who speaks fluent French, had 85 points (30 goals, 55 assists), 28 power-play points (10 goals) and two short-handed goals in 63 games.
