NHL Feature – McKeen's Hockey

2026 NHL DRAFT: DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT – Nikita Shcherbakov, D, Salavat Yulaev UFA (KHL)/Toros Neftekamsk (VHL)/Toplar UFA (MHL)

Mark Doherty — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 17:00:40 +0000

Nikita Shcherbakov

2026 NHL Draft Eligible

Position: D, Shoots: L

H/W: 6-Foot-5, 187 Pounds

Date of Birth: 2007-10-23

Nikita Shcherbakov entered this season as one of the highest-touted prospects coming out of Russia. He was exceptional at the U17 and U18 leagues as a 16-year-old with .66 points per game in the U17 circuit and five points in six games after his call-up to the U18 level. The production slowed down in his D-1 season as he had to adjust to the MHL, but he played well enough to start his draft-eligible season with a quick stint in the KHL. He was eventually demoted to the VHL, where he has spent the most time this year. Since then, he has bounced between the VHL and MHL. In just 13 games for Toplar UFA, Shcherbakov quickly matched last season's MHL point totals, garnering 8 assists in well under half the games played. His style of play may not result in high-end offensive production in pro leagues, but it is noteworthy that he was trusted with a defensive role in higher levels of play at such a young age while continuing to increase his production when playing within his age group.

Shcherbakov is next in the line of towering, smooth-skating Russian defensemen — a mold of players like Anton Silayev and Dimitri Simashev who came before him. The 6-foot-5 lefty is known for his high-end skating and long reach, using those abilities to shut down rushes and take away space in the defensive zone. He has the build that NHL coaches love: that big, hard-to-play-against, shut-down defenseman with hands and feet that makes you wonder if there is more to unlock in his offensive game. His frame has landed him in the first round in the eyes of some scouts despite his raw and mostly simple style of play. Shcherbakov is a project that will have NHL teams fantasizing about what type of player he’ll become as he puts on weight and matures his game.

There is a long development path ahead of him. He needs to add some aggression, physicality, and hockey sense to fulfill the defensive specialist projection that has been put upon him. Some may see it as a positive to stay in Russia for the next 3 years. At the MHL level, he has shown confidence with the puck on his stick and more aggression/activation in all zones. A call-up to the VHL or KHL would allow him to begin to use his frame, to learn how to feel comfortable under pressure, and gain some confidence taking more risks in the offensive zone. The higher skill and physicality of the KHL would continue to test him and help develop a more physical side to his game. However, getting him to North America as soon as possible, under the control of whoever drafts him, would let him adjust to the smaller ice and develop his hockey sense playing in a more structured environment. Heading overseas would help him work on his positioning, reads, and breakouts — areas that he has had trouble with at the pro level so far.

Skating

For a 6-foot-5 defenseman, Shcherbakov’s calling card has been his mobility. His footwork is clean and technical, allowing him to manage the point and occasionally walk the blue line. When he's able to gather speed and activate, Shcherbakov utilizes crossovers and his long reach to protect the puck and create some space for himself. He tends to pair his crossovers with quick cuts and explosive edges to either cut to the slot or turn back and look for passing options, whether it is in the offensive zone along the half wall or evading forechecks in his own end. While his top speed isn't the greatest, he is incredibly rangey and covers ice well with his reach, long strides, and decent lateral mobility. That lateral mobility is on display when he uses back crossovers to shut down rushes, take away space, and make up for positional errors.

Despite his quality skating and footwork, Shcherbakov struggles defending the dump-and-chase game and can get caught stepping up on opponents who are attacking with speed. This is largely due to his poor acceleration and slow transitions from backward to forward skating. When he is the first one to the puck, forecheckers are usually all over him, forcing quick decisions that do not always end positively. This also hinders him from being utilized in breakouts and in transition, as he takes a long time to build up speed. He is rarely able to separate himself from aggressive forwards or catch the opposition flat-footed in the neutral zone. At his current weight of 187 pounds, there is reason to believe he can gain strength in his lower half. Adding some explosiveness to his first few steps would take his defensive game to the next level and make him a decent threat to break out the puck himself.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SKATING-Shcherbakov-transition-and-breakout.mp4

Here you see Shcherbakov bait a defender to the opposite side of the net before popping off his edge and turning up ice but never hitting that next gear.

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A shift that shows the range of skating skills he possesses. He defends the blue line using his backwards crossover to move laterally, gets the poke check, and jumps up ice. He then lifts the stick and uses his long strides to enter the zone before attempting to cut into the high slot. He regains the puck at the point and opens his hips to draw the defender wide before cutting inside a second time, ultimately losing the puck. He gets back in position on defense, manages his gap well, taking away the shot and forcing a difficult pass. He then follows the play up ice, collecting a loose puck and opening his hips again while protecting the puck before spinning and attempting a shot on net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SKATING-Shcherbakov-footwork-and-shot-attempt.mp4

A good example of his technical ability and footwork. Shcherbakov pushes off his edge and moves laterally along the blue line. Adding more explosivity in that lateral movement would allow him to open up more shooting lanes or give him opportunities to attack the high slot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SKATING-Shcherbakov-skating-and-playmaking.mp4

Shcherbakov gathers speed along the blueline before driving wide. He cuts back on his edge and finds an open man across the ice. He recovers the puck again at the blue line and is just able to side-step the defender to keep the attack going.

GRADE: 55

Shot

Shcherbakov is not much of a threat with his shot, scoring just 3 goals in the past 2 years. During his time in the KHL, he played very passively in the offensive zone. When he would receive the puck, he'd quickly dump it into the corner to try to continue the cycle. He’s far more confident at the MHL level, occasionally joining the rush, driving wide, or cutting to the net and getting shots off. His release is slow as his long arms take time to gather the puck and load up his shot. It’s a shot that doesn't really challenge goaltenders all too much. From the point, he does a really nice job keeping his wrist shots low and hard to set up his teammates for deflections and rebound opportunities. He does possess a decent slap shot with a big wind-up that might look a bit stronger than it is while not getting the puck on net consistently. Adding some muscle to his frame could turn the shot into something that defenders would second guess jumping in front of.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SHOT-Shcherbakov-slapshot.mp4

Shcherbakov’s big slap shot, keeping it low and creating a rebound opportunity.

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His catch and release in open space, a slow gather and a shot that doesn't quite challenge, but he's getting to the right spots

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SHOT-Shcherbakov-skill-move-into-a-shot.mp4

Here he shows that middle-driven mentality, cutting to the slot and getting his shot off cleanly.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SHOT-Shcherbakov-shot-after-defensive-play.mp4

After a defensive play, Shcherbakov waits at the point, keeps the puck in the zone and takes a low wrister that results in a goal.

GRADE: 47.5

Skills

For a player who is not known for his offense, Shcherbakov displays some quick hands at times — especially in the MHL. He's able to utilize his long reach and edges to move the puck away from forwards, attacking downhill when breaking out of zone. Despite this ability, getting the puck out of the zone cleanly is a struggle at times, either mishandling the puck when a second wave of forwards pressure him or forcing breakout passes that don't connect often. His passes, especially at higher levels, lack touch and turn into chip clears that are usually recovered by the other team. This is especially prevalent at higher levels when he's given less space and doesn't trust in his own abilities to beat a guy 1-on-1.

In the offensive zone, he shows some flashes of skill, occasionally challenging wingers and, as previously stated, cutting to the middle to try and get shots off from the high slot. His puck skills allow him to get to the inside, but the shots are not always clean as his slow release allows defenders to get their sticks in the way before he can get it off. There have been some moments when he activates deep into the zone, where he is able to corral loose pucks and drive the net, cutting through defenders and getting shots in tight. There is also an awareness to find cross-ice passes to crashing forwards when he does happen to find some time in the offensive zone. At higher levels, he keeps his offensive game extremely simple. Rarely does he try to use his skill or even connect with passes, defaulting to sending the puck around the boards on cycles or making passes to teammates who are no more than 5 feet from him. If he can apply that same confidence that he shows in the MHL to the pro leagues, he’ll begin to find more production at those levels.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SKILLS-Shcherbakov-retreival-evade-and-handles.mp4

Shcherbakov uses his frame and hands to evade pressure and protect the puck, but fails to get a clean exit.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SKILLS-Shcherbakov-simple-zone-cycle.mp4

A standard shift at the pro level. Curling back to the point and sending the puck in deep a couple times to keep the cycle going.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SKILLS-Shcherbakov-Skilled-reception-curl-and-net-drive.mp4

Showing confidence at the MHL level, tapping the puck out of the air, turning away from pressure, driving the net, and almost beating the goalie with his reach.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SKILLS-Shcherbakov-backdoor-feed.mp4

Entering the zone with speed, he takes the puck into the slot showing shot before hitting a crashing forward for a deflection.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-SKILLS-Shcherbakov-mishandles-at-blue-line-NZ-TO.mp4

Despite his flashes, he has a tendency to mishandle the puck, causing him to not execute his ideas. Here, he attempts a move at the blue line but is forced to curl back and try to shake off his man. When he turns up ice, he lacks the explosion in his crossovers to separate, fails to protect the puck by moving it to the outside where the defender is ready to lift his stick and he turns it over in the NZ

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/6-SKILLS-Shcherbakov-pinch-and-activation-with-high-danger-pass.mp4

Here, Shcherbakov activates along the half wall, protecting the puck and, with quick hands, throws a nice pass to the front of the net

GRADE: 52.5

Smarts

This is the area of the game where I’ve seen the most cause for concern. A big reason why a move to North America sooner (to learn this hemisphere’s style of play) would really help Shcherbakov in the long run. He is an extremely gifted athlete with a pro build, and he’s used that to mask some significant issues with how he thinks and sees the game. His positioning can be really poor at times. When setting up for breakouts, he often puts himself in areas where he is not an option to support his fellow defenseman. When defending the rush, if they are attacking the opposite side of the ice, he glides towards that half of the ice, leaving any forward entering his side uncovered. In the offensive zone, he creeps up in the slot or along the boards at inopportune times, leaving odd man rushes that he fortunately has the skating ability to at least give a decent backchecking effort on.

At higher levels of play, he struggles to read plays quickly. On retrievals, he doesn’t pick his head up to look for options, and he’ll just send the puck up the boards, hoping it will find a friendly stick. There are times when he can get caught puck-watching and end up flat-footed in his own end, leaving an open man in the slot. He’s slow to make decisions on whether or not to engage guys along the boards and won’t force them to make plays under pressure.

On a more positive note, his in-zone defending and positioning/gap control when forwards try to enter the zone on his side of the ice is mostly fine. He knows when to pressure at the blue line to break up plays with his stick and when to close out along the boards to force chip-ins. When he’s moving his feet, he can apply pressure in his own end and, when given time and space, there is a chance that he will make intelligent passes, especially in the offensive zone.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SMART-Scherbakov-closes-gap.mp4

Shcherbakov with a poorly timed pinch, finds himself on the wrong side of the ice, but is able to recover with his skating ability and force a pass.

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After mishandling a puck, Shcherbakov assists in a board battle where his team recovers the puck, but he is slow to recognize this and isn't able to set up behind the net for the breakout.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SMART-Shcherbakov-tough-sequence.mp4

Unable to find a breakout pass off the draw, he manages to get the puck in deep and supports along the half wall in an attempt to keep the puck in the zone. He then gets back and engages in a NZ battle before receiving a pass in his own end. With all four of his teammates open and only one forechecker pressuring, he hesitates on his decision and turns the puck over.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SMART-Shcherbakov-puck-watching.mp4

Despite looking over his shoulder twice and recognizing a threat entering the middle of the ice, he gets caught puck-watching, drifting too far towards the corner, leaving his man wide open in the slot for a goal.

GRADE: 47.5

Physicality/Compete

Shcherbakov's physicality is a perfect encapsulation of his overall projection. It’s been mentioned ad nauseam, but the frame and growth potential within his build is massive; it’s just a matter of application. At his current weight of 187 pounds, it’s incredibly reasonable to expect him to put on more weight as he matures and focuses on building mass. He could turn into a physical force on the back end, but he has yet to show a knack for throwing the body around and finishing checks. It could be the overall lack of strength currently, as the checks and board battles that he does engage in are generally soft. He shoves guys with little success or wraps them up with his limbs instead of using his body to pin them to the boards. When he eventually bulks up, you would hope (and frankly expect) these habits turn into something more imposing.

Shcherbakov may play a more passive and low-event style of play, but that doesn't mean he won't compete when necessary. Due to that poor positioning, he is almost forced to hustle to the area of the ice he's supposed to be defending. Lesser players may give up in these situations, but Shcherbakov's incredible range and willingness to get there aid him greatly in disrupting the play. When he does activate in the offensive zone, he can put in good work along the boards using his reach to get to the puck first and send it down to the corner. In board battles or even in open ice, he can use his size to gain leverage or tie up sticks, forcing loose pucks. He can utilize that leverage in front of the net as well, lifting the stick of big-bodied forwards, even from a distance if necessary. Shcherbakov also does a great job blocking shots; clogging up the middle of the ice, never shying away from shots, and putting in that extra effort to extend out and get his stick on shots that would normally be out of reach.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-PHYSICAL-Shcherbakov-tie-ups-along-the-boards.mp4

A couple of examples of Shcherbakov wrapping up forwards with his arms to take them out of the play.

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Shcherbakov throwing some hits. The third one is a good example of the power he can eventually show as he grows into his body.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-PHYSICAL-Shcherbakov-hit-comp-2.mp4

These hits are examples of his lack of strength preventing him from maintaining his balance through them. However, with added weight, these types of hits could eventually become heavy checks that make opponents think twice about stepping into his zone of influence.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-PHYSICAL-Shcherbakov-caught-changing-recovers-blocks-2-shots.mp4

After a long shift, Shcherbakov is looking to change but hustles back to the slot to force a shot. He follows the play from there, getting his stick on a follow-up shot, then gets his body in the way of another shot before getting off the ice.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-PHYSICAL-Shcherbakov-decent-stick-battle.mp4

Shcherbakov using his size and reach to tie up opponents' sticks and force a loose puck

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/6-PHYSICAL-Shcherbakov-shot-block.mp4

An example of Shcherbakovs’ willingness to get in the shooting lane and block a shot

GRADE: 57.5

OFP: 52.375

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Immediate reaction to the Artemi Panarin trade, Charlie Coyle leads the surging Blue Jackets, Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich producing for the Blues, and so much more!

Scott Cullen — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:10:00 +0000

New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

Each week, I dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. This week, immediate reaction to the Artemi Panarin trade, Charlie Coyle leads the surging Blue Jackets, Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich producing for the Blues, and so much more!

#1 Moving to Los Angeles should be an interesting situation for Artemi Panarin, who has been one of the most productive forwards in the league. Since 2019-2020, he has 607 points in 482 games which ranks sixth in the league. That suggests that he should be able to keep scoring, even on a team that has its own troubles generating offense. It remains to be seen which Kings players Panarin will play with, but it would seem to be a possibility that Panarin could skate on a line with Quentin Byfield, who is a strong player but has been struggling to score this season.

#2 The prospect going to the Rangers in the Panarin trade is Liam Greentree, the 26th pick in the 2024 Draft. He is a 6-foot-3 winger who should have a chance to compete for a spot in the near future with the rebuilding Rangers, though his production has dropped – from 119 points in 64 games last season to 45 points in 35 games in the OHL this season. Gabriel Perreault and Brennan Othmann are the top forward prospects getting looks with the Rangers now so, depending on how the Rangers rebuild is handled, Greentree could have a chance to play in the NHL relatively soon.

#3 When the Blue Jackets replaced Dean Evason as head coach with Rick Bowness, it turned the season around. The new coach bounce has lifted the Blue Jackets to 10 wins in the past 11 games, and centre Charlie Coyle has been one of several Blue Jackets to elevate his play. In those 11 games, Coyle has 16 points (8 G, 8 A) and 31 shots on goal. He is skating on a line with Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier at even strength, but Coyle is getting first unit power play time, and he has scored three power play goals in the past 11 games.

#4 Surrounding an injury that kept him out of action for three weeks, Blues right winger Jordan Kyrou was held without a goal in 13 straight games, dropping his value for fantasy managers. In his past eight games, however, Kyrou has started to heat up, producing 12 points (5 G, 7 A) with 29 shots on goal. He has scored more than 30 goals in each of the past three seasons and while that’s not as likely this season (he has 13 goals in 47 games), Kyrou is a proven scorer who could have real value down the stretch.

#5 With Robert Thomas injured, the Blues have shifted Pavel Buchnevich to the middle of the ice, and in his past seven games, Buchnevich has nine points (4 G, 5 A) and 22 shots on goal. He has played some centre for the Blues, despite being terrible on faceoffs (winning 35.5 percent of his draws with St. Louis), but, as a skilled playmaker, he does seem to be connecting with Kyrou, improving the fantasy value for both of them.

#6 An upper-body injury kept Dallas Stars centre Matt Duchene out of action for nearly a couple of months, and it took him some time to get up to speed after returning. Duchene had just 11 points (4 G, 7 A) through his first 26 games, but since then he has recorded nine points (6 G, 3 A) with 13 shots on goal during a six-game point streak. He is starting to click on the power play, with three power play goals in those six games after he had one power play point in his previous 26 contests.

#7 There have been many times during this season that we have pointed out the value of Pittsburgh Penguins winger Anthony Mantha, yet he’s still available in a significant percentage of leagues. In his past nine games, Mantha has 12 points (6 G, 6 A) with 17 shots on goal. He has hit 20 goals for the fourth time in his career, and with 42 points, he is six points away from tying his career high, which was set in 2017-2018 and matched in 2018-2019. The towering winger has moved up the depth chart and is skating on Sidney Crosby’s wing and getting first unit power play time for the Penguins.

#8 Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann has landed in trade rumours recently, as the Maple Leafs are on the outside looking in at the playoffs and he has an expiring contract. He is certainly not hurting his trade value with his play, putting up seven points (4 G, 3 A) and 20 shots on goal in his past seven games, making the most of his chance to skate with Auston Matthews and Max Domi on the Leafs’ top line. If McMann is traded, he may not have such a prime scoring role, but he has proven that he can put the puck in the net, generate shots on goal, and add some hits for good measure.

#9 After spending most of last season in the American Hockey League, Kailer Yamamoto is back in the NHL this season with the Utah Mammoth. That hasn’t been particularly relevant for fantasy managers for most of the season, but he does have eight points (5 G, 3 A) and 12 shots on goal in his past seven games, which makes him worth considering even if it’s as a short-term pick up. Yamamoto is skating with Barrett Hayton and JJ Peterka on Utah’s second line, which does help to make him at least a little bit interesting.

#10 As the Seattle Kraken seek more consistent scoring, they are getting quality production from their captain, Jordan Eberle. The veteran right winger has seven points (3 G, 4 A) and 13 shots on goal in his past seven games and his 38 points (20 G, 18 A) lead the Kraken. Eberle has exceeded 25 goals in a season twice in his career, most recently in 2013-2014, so he’s on pace for one of his best goal-scoring campaigns. He is skating on the Kraken’s top line with Matty Beniers and Jared McCann and they are having success, but it also highlights how the Kraken could use more game-breaking offensive talent.

#11 Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn is 36 now, so not the player that he was during his peak years, but he can still bring it in short bursts. Following a 12-game point drought, Benn has erupted for eight points (2 G, 6 A) in his past four games. The trouble is that he only has five shots on goal in those four games – and only had a dozen in the previous 12 – so it’s very difficult to trust that his production is sustainable.

#12 A fresh start in Pittsburgh has paid off for winger Yegor Chinakhov, who was acquired from Columbus earlier in the season. Chinakhov has eight points (5 G, 3 A) and 21 shots on goal in his past eight games, with his ice time going up over 15 minutes per game in that stretch, as he skates on Pittsburgh’s second line with Tommy Novak and Evgeni Malkin. Chinakhov’s 1.31 goals per 60 minutes ranks 13th among skaters to play at least 500 five-on-five minutes.

#13 With the Vancouver Canucks lacking options down the middle of the ice, especially in an offensive role, Teddy Blueger is stepping into a more offensive role. Blueger played two games in October before getting injured and recently returned to the lineup, putting up seven points (4 G, 3 A) with 17 shots on goal in eight games. He has also played 16:23 per game which is a couple of minutes more per game than his typical average, and he’s having some success skating with wingers Conor Garland and Liam Ohgren.

#14 Utah Mammoth defenceman Sean Durzi can get overlooked because he’s not running the top power play, but he’s always been a quality puck-moving defender so there are times that his offensive production starts to take off. In his past seven games, Durzi has produced six points (2 G, 4 A) with nine shots on goal and 12 blocked shots – those blocked shots providing real value for fantasy managers as a complement to his increased scoring.

#15 With injuries sidelining Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish, the Anaheim Ducks have needed other centres to fill the void. Enter Ryan Poehling, a checking centre who has moved between veteran wingers Chris Kreider and Troy Terry. Poehling has six points (2 G, 4 A) and seven shots on goal in his past six games and while that shot rate is low, he is playing more than 17 minutes per game which is up by more than a couple of minutes per game over his previous average time on ice. Once the Ducks are healthy, Poehling will fill more of a defensive role, but it’s encouraging to see a player successfully handle a bigger role when given the chance.

#16 One of the statistical areas to consider for possible positive regression is to find players that have struggled with low on-ice shooting percentages. This isn’t a blanket issue because players who tend to skate on fourth lines, for example, are likely to have lower on-ice shooting percentages, but if a player is playing in a scoring role and still running low on-ice shooting percentages, that might be a player due for better puck luck. Some notables with low five-on-five on-ice shooting percentages this season include Marco Kasper (5.8%), Jonathan Drouin (6.0%), Jesper Bratt (6.1%), Dougie Hamilton (6.2%), Conor Garland (6.3%), Nico Hischier (6.4%), Kevin Fiala (6.5%), and Quinton Byfield (6.6%).

#17 Of course, it works the other way too, so when players have benefited from high on-ice shooting percentages, the odds are greater that they will run into some regression towards the mean. Some of the more notable players with high, and possibly unsustainable, five-on-five on-ice shooting percentages entering the Olympic break include Ivan Demidov (16.1%), William Nylander (16.0%), Oliver Kapanen (16.3%), Brayden Point (15.0%), Macklin Celebrini (14.8%), Mark Scheifele (14.3%), Jamie Benn (14.1%), Kyle Connor (14.0%), Gabriel Vilardi (13.9%), Nikita Kucherov (13.7%), and Cole Hutson (13.7%).

#18 This doesn’t mean that these players can’t remain productive, only that it’s very difficult to maintain this kind of lofty on-ice shooting percentage over the long haul. In the past three seasons, among players with at least 1500 minutes of five-on-five ice time, the leaders in on-ice shooting percentage are Kucherov (12.3%), Vilardi (12.2%), Points (12.1%), David Pastrnak (12.0%), and Hutson (11.8%).

#19 With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen injured, Alex Lyon becomes even more important between the pipes for the Buffalo Sabres. Lyon has been excellent, posting a .912 save percentage this season, but if Luukkonen is going to miss time beyond the Olympic break, then Lyon and Colten Ellis will have to fill the void for a Sabres team that now expects to reach the playoffs.

#20 Calgary Flames left winger Jonathan Huberdeau is going to miss the rest of the season due to hip surgery. The veteran winger did have four points (2 G, 2 A) and 12 shots on goal in his last five games, but that followed a stretch of zero points in nine games. It has been a difficult season overall, with Huberdeau producing 25 points (10 G, 15 A) in 50 games and with the Flames looking like they will have an eye towards next season, Huberdeau’s absence will create more opportunities for others. Yegor Sharangovich and Connor Zary are likely to see expanded roles, which could make them viable fantasy contributors down the stretch.

*Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick

2026 NHL DRAFT: DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT – J.P. Hurlbert, LW/C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Mika Burns — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:00:10 +0000

J.P. Hurlbert

Kamloops Blazers #2

Position: LW/C

Shoots: R

6-foot-0, 183 Pounds

When the Blazers selected JP Hurlbert 20th overall in the 2023 WHL U.S. Draft, they knew it was a long shot to get him to come play in the WHL, but when the NCAA eligibility rules changed, that door opened for him. After finishing third on the USNTDP under-17 team in scoring in the 2024-25 season, many believed that Hurlbert would be a big piece of the under-18 team this season, and once again finish as one of their top scorers. After long discussions with his family, Hurlbert ultimately made the decision to take his talents north of the border to the Kamloops Blazers.

The NCAA eligibility rule change allowed Hurlbert, a Michigan commit, to go play in the WHL while still maintaining the ability to go on and play in the NCAA after his junior career is over. What also played into the decision to join the WHL was that he and his family believed Kamloops was a great landing spot given the history of the organization and the trajectory that the team was heading on.

Although people knew about Hurlbert’s offensive ability prior to this season, not many believed that he would be leading the WHL in scoring at the halfway point of his draft year. Some may argue that the WHL has weakened slightly due to some top draft picks from past years moving to the NCAA earlier than originally expected, but regardless, having 61 points in the first 38 games of the year is very impressive and going to raise the eyebrows of NHL scouts.

One of the tools that makes Hurlbert so effective is his deception and elusiveness with the puck. He is able to create plays in many different ways and is a dual-threat player with being a great passer as well as a very dangerous shooter. His shot might not be the hardest, but he can change the angle of his release very effectively and is able to get shots off quickly in tight spaces. All of those attributes coupled with his accuracy make his shot a nightmare for opposing goalies. Hurlbert isn’t the fastest skater, but he is still able to get around defenders with his quick hands and reading the play to anticipate what a defenceman might do. He loves to have the puck on his stick and more times than not is able to create a good chance for himself or his teammates.

Skating

Hurlbert’s skating is not what is going to jump out at you when you watch him play. In terms of his offensive toolkit, his skating is the weakest of those attributes. Now with that being said, his skating is by no means bad, it just isn’t at the elite level that his other offensive abilities are at.

His edges are the strongest part of his skating, and they allow him to maneuver his way around the ice very effectively. He very often uses sharp turns with the puck to evade defenders and create space for himself and that has allowed him to create a lot of chances for himself and his teammates through the first half of the WHL season. From a technical standpoint his stride is fairly solid, he doesn’t have a very long stride and because of that he needs to bring his feet back underneath him faster so that he can stride again if he wants to travel the same distance as someone who has a longer, more powerful stride.

Where his skating falls behind a little is in the straight-line speed and explosiveness. He doesn’t have the speed to burn defenders wide very often and has to use other ways to beat defenders one on one because of that. If he could add that extra level of explosiveness and make defenders respect that he might try to beat them wide, it would really open up even more opportunity for him to use his other abilities to create a chance. He doesn’t always have to use that speed but if he could make defenders worry about that option, everything else becomes easier.

In terms of projection to the NHL, I believe his skating can become right around league average and shouldn’t hold him back from being able to make an impact. He is very effective at slowing the play down and making others play at his pace and that is one of the tools that he will have to continue to develop if he isn’t able to add that extra gear.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SKATING-Hurlbert-more-speed-may-have-created-a-chance.mp4

This is one of the times when you think that if Hurlbert had that extra bit of explosiveness, he may be able to get to that puck quicker and either create a chance for himself or pass it ahead to his teammate for a chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SKATING-Hurlbert-tight-turn-to-scoring-chance.mp4

The first turn after intercepting the pass is what stands out in the clip for me. Hurlbert is able to stop his momentum and turn on a dime all while maintaining balance so he is able to quickly get a shot on net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SKATING-Hurlbert-good-example-of-skating-strength_weakness.mp4

Here you can see a good example of the strength and weakness to Hurlbert’s skating. He doesn’t have the straight-line speed to separate from the defender but he is able to use his edgework to keep possession while waiting for his teammates.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SKATING-Hurlbert-speed-on-2-on-1.mp4

I wanted to include this clip to show that Hurlbert does have some level of speed to his game. He is able to separate from the defenders to create a clear 2-on-1 that results in a

GRADE: 50

Shot

When it comes to shooting, Hurlbert has a very dynamic shot that he’s able to get off in many different situations. He doesn’t have a very heavy shot, but it’s his release that really sets his shot apart from the rest. His high-level IQ has also helped him score by finding the right lanes and placing shots perfectly through traffic to either score a goal or at least create a chance.

With the scoring ability of players like Auston Matthews and Connor Bedard, many young players have worked on developing that patented “toe-drag release” that those players have, and Hurlbert has that as well. He doesn’t change the angle quite as much as Bedard does, but he still does it very effectively by changing it just enough before releasing the puck to open up a whole new section of the net that isn’t covered.

The last point of Hurlbert’s shooting that I wanted to touch on is his ability to get a good quality shot off from a variety of different body positions. You rarely get the perfect pass with enough time to release it exactly how you want to, so having the ability to change your body position to adjust to the play and still get a shot off is incredibly important, especially at higher levels. That is one thing that Hurlbert does well, he can shoot off both feet, in stride or stationary as well as controlling the puck or one-timing it, whatever the situation calls for.

If Hurlbert can add a little more power to his shot I believe he can continue to be a very effective scorer and shooting threat at the NHL level. Even without more power he will be able to find a way to get scoring chances.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SHOT-Hurlbert-off-balance-release.mp4

Hurlbert is able to catch a pass and get the shot off without having to change body position at all, thereby not giving the goalie as much time to adjust to the shot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SHOT-Hurlbert-PP-goal-from-distance.mp4

Despite not having the hardest shot in the league, Hurlbert is still able to score from the top of the circles by using his high level accuracy and taking advantage of the screens in front of the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SHOT-Hurlbert-quick-release-goal.mp4

What I like about this clip is the pass he receives is slightly to close to his feet but he is able to bump it forward into a position where he is still able to get a shot off quickly and surprise the goalie.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SHOT-Hurlbert-release.mp4

Before receiving the pass, Hurlbert recognizes that he has space and immediately upon receiving the puck takes a couple quick strides towards the net and is able to release the puck in stride to disguise when the shot is coming.

GRADE: 57.5

Skills

Hurlbert skill with the puck is one of the elements of his game that most jumps out to you when watching him play. In all sorts of different situations, he is able to fake out defenders and create space and chances with the puck.

He may not have the quickest hands like a player like Patrick Kane or Mat Barzal, but what Hurlbert does so well is he uses fakes to get defenders to bite which creates space for him in behind. He is constantly scanning the play and evaluating what he can do to get around players, and he always knows where the empty space is. Whether it’s faking a shot and making a cross-ice pass or a fake drive to the outside before cutting to the middle, the body and puck fakes are what allows him to be so effective.

His passing is one of his skills that is very elite at the junior level. He is able to find lanes all over the ice and create chances for his teammates. Even when a lane isn’t there, he can use his puck skill to open up that lane and send an accurate pass over to his teammate. He is also always aware of where his teammates are on the ice and that helps make quick decisions with the puck when he is closed on by a defender.

The number of times he is able to beat players one-on-one despite not being the quickest skater is a true testament to his skill and ability with the puck. He has such a big toolkit with the puck that he can make a different move for almost any situation he will find himself in on the ice. At the NHL level, I believe he will still be very effective with his puck skill, but he will need to add some strength for when bigger defencemen are trying to get him off the puck. Playing against junior players he can get around without too much resistance but at the pro level he will need to adjust.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SKILLS-Hurlbert-Toe-Drag-goal-vs-SEA.mp4

This is a great showing of the puck skill that Hurlbert has. He pulls the puck into his feet and gets around the defender before reaching the puck back across the goalie for a beautiful goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SKILLS-Hurlbert-fake-shot-assist-vs-CGY.mp4

Upon receiving the puck, Hurlbert immediately attacks making everyone think he is about to shoot before faking the shot and sending a beautiful pass across the ice to his teammate.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SKILLSHurlbert-dangle-at-blue-line.mp4

Hurlbert certainly doesn’t lack confidence with the puck as he makes a great move around the defender right at the blueline as the last man back, but to his credit it ultimately ends up in a shot on net from him.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SKILLS-Hurlbert-skill-to-assist.mp4

Here Hurlbert shows his skill by putting the puck right through the triangle of the defender to get to the middle of the ice and then slides a pass through the other defender to his teammate streaking down the wing, resulting in a goal.

GRADE: 57.5

Smarts

In my opinion the part of Hurlbert's game that stands out the most is his intelligence, his “hockey IQ”. To me, that is what plays a large part in his other skills being so effective. He reads the game at such a quick speed which has allowed him to be one step ahead of everyone else on the ice. He has that special ability to see plays before they develop and that creates so many chances not only for himself, but his teammates as well.

Another true sign of his intelligence is his ability to slow the game down and make others play at his speed. When he doesn’t let play dictate how he is going to operate, rather he makes others adjust to him which allows him to play at his strengths.That is why his intelligence is what leads to so many areas of his game being effective.

Some players can make it to the next level and get by just by having a standout few skills like blazing speed, but Hurlbert despite being good at many things, doesn’t necessarily project to be a top 5-10 player at any one skill. That is why his intelligence is such a key aspect to his game. It has allowed him to come into a new league as a 17-year-old and lead the league in scoring for large parts of the season. It is why his draft projection has steadily increased as the year has gone on. His intelligence is what is going to allow him to find the role he needs to play at the next level to be an important part of his team.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SMARTS-Hurlbert-backdoor-assist-poise.mp4

In this clip I like the awareness of Hurlbert when he gets the pass in front of the net, he doesn't just immediately force a shot and hope for the best, he gains possession and slides the puck backdoor for an easy goal for his teammate.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SMARTS-Hurlbert-IQ-PP-wall-rim.mp4

A subtle clip here, but what I like is when the puck is rimed around the boards, he sees he has two defenders pressuring him which would make making a play very difficult so he lets the puck come around and lifts the stick of the defender, easily allowing the puck to continue up to his defenceman resulting in a scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SMARTS-Hurlbert-high-IQ-defence-to-offence.mp4

When Hurlbert realizes his team has possession he flies the zone making the opposing team retreat allowing his teammate to make a stretch pass to Hurlbert. He receives the puck without many options available so he holds possession and throws it to the far corner where his streaking teammate is able to skate into it and start some offensive pressure for his team. A great show of intelligence by Hurlbert.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SMARTS-Hurlbert-support-down-low-leads-to-goal-up-ice.mp4

After supporting the play down low in his own zone, he is able to start the play up ice very quickly and follow up into the perfect position where he can get a shot off and score.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-SMARTS-Hurlbert-Neutral-Zone-interception-leads-to-goal.mp4

Here Hurlbert makes a nice interception in the neutral zone that creates a chance for his team and ultimately results in Hurlbert scoring a goal.

GRADE: 60

Physicality and Compete

The physical side of Hurlbert’s game is without question the weakest part. He is certainly not the biggest player, listed at six feet tall and just over 180 pounds, but even for a player of his size you still want to see a little more intensity from him at times.

Although he is truest as a penalty killer for the blazers, he needs to have more commitment to the defensive side of the game especially at five-on-five where he can struggle at times. He has a tendency to fly the zone as soon as he believes his team is gaining possession of the puck, and although that has worked for him at times and created opportunities, it has also hindered his team as well and given the other team quality scoring chances.

He’s primarily played on the wing this season, but he has also taken some shifts at centre and I would like to see him give more support and battle more for pucks in the corner, specifically in the defensive zone. As for when he plays as a winger, when the puck is on the weak side, he should be dropping deeper to help cover the slot and take away those grade A chances that can come in those areas.

I don’t believe compete will ever be his main strength, but I do believe he will need to add more of that to his game at the next level to fit in, and if he is able to do that, it will give him even more value to which team drafts him.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-PHYSICAL-Hurlbert-drawing-2-penalties.mp4

Hurlbert is able to draw 2 penalties on this play as he keeps his feet moving to draw a holding penalty in the corner before drawing a high sticking penalty in front of the net as he was battling for a rebound.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-PHYSICAL-Hurlbert-forecheck-and-hit.mp4

This is something that I would like to see Hurlbert do more often but here he pressures the defenceman extremely hard which results in a turnover and possession for the Blazers.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-PHYSICAL-Hurlbert-fly-bye-in-d-zone.mp4

This is one of the main issues I see in Hurlbert’s defensive game. He does a total fly-by in the defensive zone and takes far too long to get back into the play as the opposing team gets a scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-PHYSICAL-Hurlbert-forecheck-pressure.mp4

I wanted to include this clip to show that he can pressure well and stays in the hunt as they move the puck around. If he could do this more often, it would add a very valuable element to his game.

GRADE: 45

OFP: 54.25

2026 NHL DRAFT: DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT – Alberts Smits, D, Jukurit (Liiga)

Jay Rivet — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:00:43 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 27: Latvia's Alberts Smits #23 skates against Canada in the first period during Preliminary Round - Group B action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at 3M Arena at Mariucci on December 27, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Tim Austen/IIHF)

Alberts Smits

2026 NHL Draft Eligible

Position: D, Shoots: L

H/W: 6’3”, 187 lbs

Date of Birth: 2007-02-12

While the spotlight often shines on traditional hockey powerhouses, Alberts Smits has been making a compelling case for himself as one of the most robust defensive prospects coming out of the Baltic region. Playing within the Jukurit program in Finland, Smits has transitioned from a dominant force in the U20 SM-sarja to a reliable contributor in the Liiga. His development curve has been steep and consistent, culminating in a heavy-usage role for Latvia on the international stage, where he logged upwards of 30 minutes in key matchups against top-tier nations.

Smits is a towering, mobile defensive presence who combines professional-grade size with a high-functioning hockey IQ. Unlike many young defenders of his stature, Smits is not just a stay-at-home type. He possesses the skating fluidity and puck-moving poise to impact the game in all three zones. Throughout the 2025-26 season, he proved that he could handle the pace of professional hockey, looking entirely unphased by the physicality or speed of the men’s game. With his blend of reach, competitive fire, and emerging offensive tools, Smits has established himself as a potential top-4 defenseman who can eat heavy minutes and stabilize a pairing.

Smits is consistently moving up the draft rankings since the beginning of the season, at a point where he is now in contention to be the best defenseman available this year. He can really do it all on the ice and he is exactly the type of defenseman that will fit the North-American style of hockey and he will be a force in the playoffs.

Skating

Smits possesses elite mobility for a player of his 6’3” frame. He is a fluid and agile skater who uses his edgework to close gaps quickly and maintain tight spacing against opposing rushes. His transition from forward to backward skating is seamless, allowing him to defend 1-on-1 situations with high efficiency. Smits is notably poised when carrying the puck, using his skating to evade forecheckers and create exit lanes. While his top-end speed is already impressive, it is his lateral agility and ability to walk the blue line that make him a dual-threat on the power play and in transition. He has the recovery speed to jump deep into the offensive zone and still be the first man back to neutralize counter-attacks.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SKATING-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_25_42_-_26_4.mp4

(#23 Latvia)

In this clip, Smits loses the puck at the offensive blue line but his mobility allows him to stay with his man and deny time and space. We can also see here his ability to pass from forward to backward skating pretty easily.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SKATING-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_33_42_-_34_8.mp4

(#3 yellow)

Smits likes to carry the puck to the offensive zone. This is a good example of that. Good stick to deflect the pass off the rush and he quickly retrieves the loose puck to start the counterattack. He is able to beat the trackbacker using his skating and his puck protection skills to find some space and attack the net. Nice finish at the end with a little snap top net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SKATING-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_28_43_-_28_56.mp4

(#23 Latvia)

What stands out in this video is his agility and the way he uses crosses to build momentum and speed. It allows him to attack the zone with speed and it makes him hard to stop.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SKATING-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_0_44_-_0_57.mp4

(#23 blue)

Another thing that Smits likes to do is to dump the puck and apply pressure on the forecheck. His above average mobility and speed allows him to do that and to be one of the first to come back on the backcheck. Like we see in this sequence.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-SKATING-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_7_12_-_7_33.mp4

(#23 Latvia)

Another example here of how his skating looks effortless. A turnover is made by his teammate at the opposite blue line and Smits transitions immediately in defensive mode to close the middle of the ice.

Grade: 55

Shot

Smits possesses a heavy and dangerous shot from the point that serves as a legitimate offensive weapon. He is particularly effective with his one-timer on the power play and possesses a powerful snapshot that can beat goaltenders cleanly from distance. During his time in the U20 and international levels, he showed his ability to get pucks through traffic, though he occasionally struggles with accuracy, missing the net when trying to maximize power. As he gains more experience at the professional level, refining his shot selection and finding lanes more consistently will be the next step in his evolution. When he attacks the middle of the ice, his wrist shot is precise and heavy, making defenders respect his shooting threat.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SHOT-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_25_34_-_26_0.mp4

(#23 blue)

When Smits has time and space with the puck at the blue line, he has a shot that can beat goalies clean. Like in this clip where he receives the puck in a wide open area and he has all the time he needs to place his shot and score.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SHOT-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_28_32_-_28_58.mp4

(#23 blue)

Similar play on this sequence. Again he receives the puck at the blue line and he has a lot of space to take a good shot. He is not afraid to attack the slot and take a precise shot to the top net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SHOT-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_22_58_-_23_24.mp4

(#23 blue)

Smits likes to support the rush and also activate from the blue line. Here, he joins the rush and scores a goal with a nice shot.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SHOT-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_21_49_-_22_15.mp4

(#3 yellow)

When he has no play, Smits likes to put the puck to the net and he rarely misses the target. In this video, he just whips the puck through traffic from the blue line and the puck finds a way to the back of the net.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-SHOT-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_20_21_-_20_47.mp4

(#3 yellow)

This is another example of Smits joining the attack and scoring with a heavy shot. But here, we can see Smits faking a shot at first to freeze the opponent that is trying to block the shooting lane. This deceptive maneuver and the extra patience allowed him to find a better shooting lane.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/6-SHOT-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_13_36_-_14_2.mp4

(#23 blue)

Smits' one-timer is also one of his biggest weapons. A hard one-timer that left no chance for the goalie.

Grade: 57.5

Skills

Smits is a highly functional puck-mover who prioritizes efficiency over flash. He excels at making a clean, crisp first pass to jumpstart the transition. His puck protection is a standout trait as he uses his massive frame and reach to shield the puck from forecheckers, often using creative maneuvers to escape pressure. While he isn't a high-end dangler, he has shown soft hands in tight spaces to beat opponents when driving the net. On the defensive side, his stick-handling translates into elite poke-checking and the ability to disrupt passing lanes with his long reach. He is composed under pressure and rarely panics, making him a reliable option for both the power play and penalty kill.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SKILLS-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_30_5_-_30_18.mp4

(#23 yellow)

Smits likes to carry the puck through the neutral zone when he has a chance. He has pretty good puck handling skills and his mobility helps him a lot to make this kind of play. Here we see him taking the puck in his end and carrying it through the neutral zone while dangling and beating two opponents. Sometimes it can be too much and risky, but he has the intelligence to dump the puck behind the defensemen when he has no space to enter the zone in control.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SKILLS-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_9_16_-_9_29.mp4

(#23 yellow)

Defensively, his gap control and his active stick are his main skills. Like we see in this clip, he uses his mobility and his stick to close the blue line and to deny the middle of the ice to the opponent.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SKILLS-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_0_35_-_1_1.mp4

(#3 blue)

This sequence really showcases all the tools that Smits has in his toolbox. It starts with good mobility to walk the blue line and beat a first opponent. Then, he attacks the corner and uses his edges and puck protection skill to change direction and keep the puck. After that, he comes back towards the blue line and shows his puck handling skills to dangle and beat the opponent again which allows him to find space toward the middle of the ice. He finishes the play with a nice shot for the goal.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SKILLS-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_10_50_-_11_3.mp4

(#23 Latvia)

His poise with the puck and his ability to beat pressure are also two traits that stand out in Smits’ game. This clip from the World Juniors is a great example of that. We see him retrieve a loose puck in the corner, skate toward the back of his net and spin on him to change direction to beat the pressure of Bjorck so that he has time and space to start the breakout.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-SKILLS-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_8_59_-_9_12.mp4

(#23 yellow)

This is another example of Smits calmly protecting the puck by spinning on him to beat the pressure of the forecheck and he makes a D to D pass that lead to the breakout.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/6-SKILLS-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_22_17_-_22_30.mp4

(#23 yellow)

There are flashes of creativity in Smits’ game and this play shows it. He takes the puck at the offensive blue line, makes a spin-o-rama to beat the opponent and activate from the blue line. He goes toward the corner and attracts two players on him but he finds a way to cut back toward the middle and beats the two players.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/7-SKILLS-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_10_37_-_11_3.mp4

(#3 blue)

There is an offensive upside in Smits’ game because this is the kind of play he often shows. Here, he activates from the blue line, attacks the middle and makes a backhand pass to his teammate. He later receives the puck low in the zone, comes back toward the blue line and uses his puck protection skill to keep the puck and attack the net on the other side. He finishes the play with a nice backhand goal.

Grade: 52.5

Smarts

The hallmark of Smits' game is his advanced hockey IQ and situational awareness. He is a "coach’s dream" in terms of positioning, showing a mature understanding of when to pinch to keep an attack alive and when to retreat. His defensive reads are consistently on point; he anticipates plays before they develop, allowing him to cut off passes and take away time and space from opponents. Smits plays with a high level of discipline and rarely makes "young player" mistakes with the puck. He scans the ice effectively and makes high-percentage decisions that facilitate puck possession. Offensively, his vision allows him to find cross-ice seams that open up the defense, showing a level of creativity that suggests untapped offensive upside.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-SMARTS-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_28_24_-_28_37.mp4

(#3 blue)

Smits saw a lot of powerplay time this season and he has the ability to be a dangerous weapon because he can be a threat with his shot but also because he sees the ice well and he is a good puck distributor.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-SMARTS-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_11_3_-_11_16.mp4

(#23 yellow)

Defensively, he often makes good reads to deny scoring chances. In this clip, there is a turnover made by his teammates down low in the defensive zone. The opponent that forced the turnover makes a nice pass to his teammate positioned in front of the net. Smits quickly reads the play and makes a well timed hit to deny the chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-SMARTS-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_4_19_-_4_32.mp4

(#23 yellow)

In this clip, Smits exits the zone in control and passes the puck to his teammate wide to start the rush. It is a 2 on 2 situation and Smits decides to drive the and bring the defender with him to create confusion which allows his teammates to find space and score a nice goal. This shows Smits’ ability to recognize situations and exploit them to create space or to make plays.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-SMARTS-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_3_51_-_4_4.mp4

(#23 yellow)

Smits has a heavy shot but he is also smart to put the puck to the in the best way depending on the situation. Here, he sees that one of his teammates is doing a screen and ready to deflect the puck. Smits simply puts a low shot at the net to make sure that it hit the target and that his teammate can deflect it.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-SMARTS-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_21_43_-_21_56.mp4

(#23 blue)

He is pretty good at anticipating where the puck will go and pinch at the right time. On this play, he sees the play unfolding and he decides to pinch and finish his check. It creates a turnover and his team was able to retrieve the puck in the neutral zone and start the attack again.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/6-SMARTS-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_20_18_-_20_31.mp4

(#23 blue)

This is another example of Smits applying the pressure on the winger at the right time to deny the breakout and keep the attack alive.

Grade: 57.5

Physicality/Compete

Smits plays a heavy, pro-style game and is intimidated by no one. His compete level is off the charts, maintaining high intensity even during long, 30-minute shifts. He is a "mean" defender to play against, frequently using his 205-lb frame to deliver punishing hits and clear the crease. He is exceptional in board battles, using his strength to pin opponents and his stick to strip pucks. Smits is also a dedicated "team-first" player, willing to block shots on the penalty kill and protect his teammates after the whistle. His aggressiveness is controlled; he uses his body to win position rather than just chasing hits, making him a dominant force in the defensive zone.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1-PHYSICAL-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_27_50_-_28_3.mp4

(#3 yellow)

Smits is not shy of the physical game. He can be punishing but he is mostly effective in how he uses his body. His style fits the North-American style of hockey and he is good at killing the cycle by pinning players along the board like we see in this video.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2-PHYSICAL-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_10_11_-_10_24.mp4

(#23 yellow)

Another example of Smits using his body effectively to kill the cycle.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3-PHYSICAL-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_6_55_-_7_8.mp4

(#3 blue)

One more example of him pinning the opponent along the board to allow his team to take back the puck and start the breakout.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/4-PHYSICAL-alberts_smits_-_3rd_period_9_11_-_9_24.mp4

(#23 blue)

Smits likes to dump the puck in the zone and apply the forecheck himself. That’s an example of that here. There is also no doubt that he will finish his checks.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/5-PHYSICAL-alberts_smits_-_2nd_period_16_42_-_16_55.mp4

(#23 yellow)

This is another example of Smits joining the forecheck down low and finishing his check. The pressure he applied, ultimately leads to his team retrieving the puck and extending offensive zone time.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/6-PHYSICAL-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_20_38_-_20_51.mp4

(#23 blue)

Smits is hard to play against and he is a competitor that fears nobody. Here we can see him jumping in the play to hit a bigger opponent than him and it leads to his team retrieving the puck.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/7-PHYSICAL-alberts_smits_-_1st_period_15_2_-_15_15.mp4

(#3 yellow)

Overall, Smits wins most of his puck battles. Here, he dumps the puck and applies the pressure. Even if there are two opponents against him, he is still the one that retrieves the puck and finds a way to make a pass toward the front of the net which leads to a goal.

Grade: 60

OFP: 56.375

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – St. Louis Blues Edition

Victor Nuño — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:22:57 +0000

Team Outlook

Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2019, the Blues have largely remained in a competitive window, but one that has gradually narrowed rather than meaningfully evolved. St. Louis has qualified for the playoffs in six of the past eight seasons, yet three of those appearances ended in first-round exits, and this year they appear unlikely to return at all. Instead of committing to a full rebuild, the organization is signaling a retool, attempting to recalibrate on the fly while preserving long-term credibility.

"Obviously we're embarrassed for where we're at in the standings."

Caught up with #STLBlues GM Doug Armstrong ahead of the Olympic break.

Here's part of his blunt assessment of the season in St. Louis so far: pic.twitter.com/FsJMncfgpA

— Corey Miller (@corey_miller5) January 28, 2026

General Manager Doug Armstrong’s recent comments expressing embarrassment with the team’s position in the standings underscores that urgency. For dynasty managers, this transitional phase creates opportunity. As the Blues reassess their internal hierarchy, some prospects are beginning to separate as better fits for the next iteration of the roster, while others may be carrying more market value than their realistic fantasy projections justify. This edition highlights three players whose stock remains on the rise and three whose current perception may be ahead of where their long-term fantasy utility ultimately lands.

Buy Candidates

Jimmy Snuggerud, RW

Why Buy?
Snuggerud’s early NHL usage has reinforced why his profile translates so cleanly, even if the surface-level results have been uneven. Rather than relying on creativity or puck dominance, he has shown an ability to contribute within structure, using his frame effectively, getting pucks to the net, and consistently attacking high-danger areas. His shot remains his defining trait at the NHL level, and he looks comfortable playing a direct, north-south game that does not require extended offensive-zone freedom to be effective. Those habits have allowed him to earn trust quickly, even in minutes that are not heavily sheltered.

From an evaluation standpoint, this is where opportunity emerges. His Evolving Hockey player card shows poor initial five-on-five results at the NHL level, which may cause some fantasy managers to sour prematurely. However, those early struggles are not unexpected for a rookie adjusting to pace and structure, and they mask some encouraging signs. Most notably, his power-play impact has already been strong, reinforcing the idea that his shot and net-front instincts translate immediately in offensive situations. That split between even-strength results and special-teams effectiveness often creates short-term value inefficiencies in dynasty formats.

Zooming out, Snuggerud’s long-term outlook remains solid. According to Hockey Prospecting, he graduated the model with a 19% chance of becoming a star, a meaningful signal for a player whose game is built on translatable habits rather than flash. With the remainder of this season and all of next still remaining on his entry-level contract, the Blues have a clear runway to evaluate how he fits into their future plans during a retooling phase. Players who shoot, compete, and contribute on the power play tend to stick sooner than expected. If his role continues to grow incrementally while perceptions lag behind early results, this remains a strong buy window before his value stabilizes.

Justin Carbonneau, RW

Why Buy?
Carbonneau plays with pace and confidence, attacking defenders with purpose and showing a growing ability to generate offense off the rush. His scoring is not purely opportunistic. He creates chances through controlled entries and assertive puck movement, pointing to a skill set that has the potential to scale beyond junior competition if the underlying habits continue to mature.

One of the longstanding knocks on Carbonneau has been his two-way consistency, but that area of his game has taken a meaningful step forward this season. His Fantasy Hockey Life skater card reflects improvement across several key areas, most notably in loose puck recoveries, puck battles won, play driving, and transition impact. Those gains suggest a player who is learning how to influence play away from the puck, not just finish it. In addition, Carbonneau offers strong contributions in peripheral categories such as shots, hits, and blocks, giving him a higher floor than many offense-first wingers.

The appeal here is timing. Carbonneau’s pNHLe via the Rank King application has been somewhat muted this season, which may be partially explained by his increased focus on rounding out his all-around game rather than purely chasing offense. That dip in projection could create a buying opportunity if managers anchor too heavily to the headline number. The underlying trajectory still supports top-line upside if his offensive confidence and play-driving continue to translate. For dynasty managers, this is the type of asset worth acquiring before production, deployment, and perception realign and close the value gap.

Adam Jiricek, D

Why Buy?
Jiricek brings a toolkit that is always worth betting on from the blue line: size, mobility, and offensive instincts. He is at his best when activating into space, moving pucks decisively, and supporting the rush. His confidence with the puck has continued to grow alongside increased responsibility, which has clearly been the case this season. While his defensive game drew questions earlier in his development, that area took meaningful steps forward this year, helping round out his overall profile.

The uncertainty surrounding his profile is exactly what makes this a buying opportunity. His Advanced Hockey Stats card assigns him a zero percent chance of becoming a star, largely driven by limited scoring during his draft-minus-one and draft-year seasons when injuries significantly disrupted his development. That context matters. Those early seasons are heavily weighted by the model, but they do not reflect the player Jiricek is now. Showing that card to the current manager may even help soften acquisition cost, especially if they are risk-averse or model-driven.

What should provide reassurance is how he has played more recently. Jiricek has been outstanding for the Brantford Bulldogs, the class of the OHL this season, playing heavy minutes in all situations and driving play from the back end. He carried that same responsibility at the Under-20 World Junior Championship for Czechia, leading them to a silver medal while earning Best Defenseman of the Tournament honors. His pNHLe via the Rank King application comes in at 69, a projection that weighs his current production more heavily, and while the Duncan Keith comparable may be ambitious, it underscores the level of upside still in play. If he earns sustained power-play opportunities at the professional level, his value could rise quickly from its current discount.

Sell Candidates

Theo Lindstein, D

Why Sell?
Lindstein has long profiled as a better real-life player than fantasy asset. He is a dependable, intelligent defender whose game is built on positioning, reads, and limiting mistakes. Those traits make him appealing to NHL coaches and give him a clear path to regular minutes, but they do not translate cleanly to fantasy value. While he can move the puck efficiently and support play, his offensive assertiveness is limited, and he is unlikely to be a primary driver of scoring from the blue line. Even his peripheral contributions lag behind what fantasy managers typically need from a defense slot.

The data reinforces that divide. Lindstein’s Advanced Hockey Stats card assigns him just a one percent chance of becoming a star, while giving him a 94% probability of becoming a full-time NHL player. That is exactly the profile he fits. He is very likely to play meaningful NHL games and be trusted in defensive situations, but that usefulness is far more valuable to his team than to your fantasy roster. If another manager is valuing him as a future top four fantasy contributor based on role security alone, this is a strong window to sell. His NHL future looks stable, but his fantasy ceiling likely remains modest unless his offensive involvement changes dramatically.

Logan Mailloux, D

Why Sell?
Mailloux remains one of the more polarizing defense prospects because of his raw offensive tools. He can shoot, skate, and generate offense in flashes, which continues to buoy his perceived upside, but the volatility in his game has not gone away. Decision-making under pressure, defensive consistency, and overall processing remain real concerns, and those issues directly impact trust, deployment, and long-term role security at the NHL level.

The underlying results this season strengthen the sell case. According to Evolving Hockey, Mailloux’s impacts have been extremely poor on both the offensive and defensive sides of the puck, leaving him heavily reliant on securing a power-play role to maintain fantasy relevance. While St. Louis was willing to trade Zachary Bolduc to acquire him, and Bolduc has looked solid in Montreal, that transaction may still be inflating Mailloux’s perceived value. If another manager is buying into upside alone, this is a strong window to sell and reallocate that value into a more stable asset.

Dalibor Dvorský, C

Why Sell?
Dvorský is a legitimately strong offensive player, and the recommendation to sell has nothing to do with doubts about his scoring ability. He graduated the Hockey Prospecting model with a 41% chance of becoming a star, and his early NHL usage has already translated into tangible results, nearly 10 power-play points in just over half a season. His processing with the puck, ability to find space, and comfort in offensive situations all point to a player who should produce at the NHL level, particularly on the man advantage.

The limitation lies on the other side of the puck. Dvorský has long been a defensive liability, and that concern has carried over to the NHL. Evolving Hockey grades his defensive impact in just the 33rd percentile, and within the Blues lineup he ranks near the bottom in both Corsi against per 60 minutes and expected goals against per 60 minutes. Those deficiencies make it difficult for him to consistently earn the kind of five-on-five usage needed to reach his absolute ceiling. He can still be a productive scorer, but a true top-end outcome becomes less likely if coaches have to manage his minutes carefully. The recommendation here is not to sell cheap, but to capitalize if another manager is valuing him as a pure offensive centerpiece. Targeting returns consistent with a 70 to 80 point forward makes sense while that perception still exists.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Jimmy Snuggerud	Buy	Pro-ready winger with reliable scoring habits and a clear NHL pathway
Justin Carbonneau	Buy	Offensive winger whose trajectory is undervalued
Adam Jiricek	Buy	High-upside defenseman with power-play potential if development clicks
Theo Lindstein	Sell	Reliable defender whose fantasy ceiling likely trails market perception
Logan Mailloux	Sell	Volatile offensive defenseman reliant on power-play deployment
Dalibor Dvorský	Sell	Solid center whose fantasy value may be inflated by positional scarcity

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – Detroit Red Wings Edition

Victor Nuño — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:26:32 +0000

Team Outlook

After years of skepticism surrounding the long-term direction of the Yzerplan, the Red Wings are beginning to look like an organization whose patience is finally paying off. Detroit has assembled a competitive NHL roster that blends emerging young talent with contributors in their prime, and the results are starting to materialize, with the team firmly in the playoff conversation and poised to snap an eight-season postseason drought. For much of the rebuild, organizational depth often limited clear pathways for young players, but that dynamic is now shifting as several prospects are breaking through at a faster rate while others face increasing pressure to translate pedigree into fantasy-relevant roles. This edition highlights three prospects whose stock is trending upward and three whose current market value may exceed their realistic long-term upside.

Buy Candidates

Sebastian Cossa, G (23)

Why Buy?
Cossa remains one of the most physically imposing goaltender prospects and his development arc has clearly stabilized after an uneven early professional transition. At 6-6, he naturally takes away space, and over the past two seasons his technical game has caught up to his frame. His movement is more controlled, post integration is cleaner, and rebound management has improved, allowing his size to work as an advantage rather than a liability. There was real concern when he was briefly sent to the ECHL in 2022–23, but that chapter is firmly in the rearview mirror after two strong, confidence-building AHL seasons. Hockey Prospecting now pegs him at a 58% chance of becoming an NHL goaltender, reflecting that steady progress.

Cossa remains a classic patience play with a clearer runway than before. Detroit’s current crease is anchored by John Gibson, who has been excellent after a rocky start and still has another year on his deal at age 32, while Cam Talbot is 38 and an unrestricted free agent after this season. That creates a realistic opening for Cossa to step into a backup or 1B role as early as the 2026–27 season. Goaltenders with Cossa’s draft capital, organizational investment, and upward trend rarely stay discounted for long. If another manager is still anchored to early volatility, this is an increasingly narrow buy-low window before his value firms up.

Trey Augustine, G (20)

Why Buy?
It might seem strange to recommend buying both Detroit goalies, but they are both starter quality, and they could not be more different. While Cossa brings size and athleticism, Augustine’s game is built on efficiency, reads, and technical precision, paired with a real championship pedigree. Augustine has already won Under-18 World Championship gold (U18WJC) once and Under-20 World Championship (U20WJC) gold twice, consistently elevating his play in high-pressure environments. He has yet to capture an NCAA championship, but Michigan State looks well positioned to make a serious run this season. Long term, which goalie ultimately emerges as the starter may come down to fit, whether Detroit prefers a more athletic, net-covering presence or a calmer, technically driven option once both are NHL-ready.

Augustine is an ideal hedge within the organization. His development curve continues to trend upward, even if it lacks the flash of Cossa’s profile, and his composure and tracking stand out in big moments. Hockey Prospecting is more conservative on Augustine, currently assigning him a 38% chance of becoming an NHLer, but that number may undersell how projectable his game is at higher levels. In deeper leagues, this is exactly the type of asset to acquire while he remains slightly overshadowed, as Detroit’s system is increasingly positioned to produce at least one long-term answer in goal, and Augustine’s path to relevance remains very much alive.

Carter Bear, LW (19)

Why Buy?
Bear is a young prospect whose game already shows strong translatability. He plays with pace, purpose, and a willingness to attack inside ice, traits that tend to age well as competition increases. His motor runs hot, he consistently arrives in scoring areas rather than circling the perimeter, and his overall approach points to a player who can contribute in multiple ways even if his offensive ceiling is still coming into focus. In Detroit’s development environment, those habits matter, and they often translate into real NHL utility.

The Achilles injury from March 2025 understandably gave some managers pause, but that concern is quickly fading into the background. After a slow start to the 2025-26 season, Bear’s production jump to roughly 1.4 points per game, after starting at 1.1 points per game, reinforcing that he is back to full speed after a slow start. Even if his scoring settles lower long term, his Fantasy Hockey Life card highlights elite peripheral value, shots, hits, and blocks all sit near the top of the WHL. That profile makes him an easier hold in dynasty formats and raises his floor considerably. Tenacious players with this level of engagement tend to force their way into NHL minutes, making Bear a strong speculative buy before his value catches up to his toolkit.

Sell Candidates

Max Plante, C (19)

Why Sell?
Plante has emerged as one of the most productive forwards in college hockey this season, leading the NCAA in both points and points per game with an outstanding offensive output. After a modest breakout last year, he has taken another notable step forward, driving play with creativity, pace, and a nose for dangerous areas. That production spike has been impossible to ignore and has helped Plante climb in fantasy rankings. His game clearly translates in the college environment, and he has shown the ability to elevate his performance in difficult situations. However, his recent U20WJC was disappointing and serves as a reminder that high-end international success has not yet fully materialized.

The recommendation to sell here is not a judgment on his overall quality, Plante is unquestionably a very good player, but rather on relative value and timing. His stock right now is arguably as high as it will ever be, and it is unlikely that his true long-term projection will match a pNHLe of 89. More realistic NHL comparables at this stage skew toward players like Christian Fischer or Conor Garland, solid contributors but not perennial top-line scorers. That said, there is still an outside path where Plante could take a leap akin to Cutter Gauthier if everything breaks perfectly. If you can secure Gauthier-like value for him on the high end of his current market range, selling now while his perception and production are peaked makes strategic sense. If you aren’t getting close to that full value, holding for a little longer isn’t unreasonable, but patience should be paired with pragmatic valuation.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW (19)

Why Sell?
Brandsegg-Nygård offers an enticing mix of size, competitiveness, and pro-ready habits, and his transition to North America has gone smoothly so far. Drafted in 2024, he has already logged nine NHL appearances, unusually early for a Red Wings prospect, and his AHL production has been solid in his first professional season. That combination of early NHL exposure, respectable AHL numbers, and physical profile has helped prop up his dynasty value, especially in leagues that favor power forwards or reward hits and effort-based play.

The concern is that his long-term fantasy ceiling likely does not match his current market perception. While he plays hard, pressures defenders, and wins battles, his offensive creation has yet to consistently separate him from a bottom-six projection. Hockey Prospecting is notably bearish, assigning him just a one percent star probability, which aligns with the eye test suggesting more of an energy winger than a true scoring driver. If a leaguemate is buying into the early NHL cameo and AHL production as signs of top-six upside, this is a sensible window to sell and potentially turn that optimism into a clear upgrade before his role settles into something more complementary.

Emmitt Finnie, C (20)

Why Sell?
Finnie had his moment early in the 2025–26 season, flashing enough creativity and touch to enter the conversation in deeper prospect circles, but his long-term projection has grown less certain as the year has progressed. He is a rugged, high engagement forward who plays with an edge and is more than willing to finish checks. That physical involvement boosts his fantasy peripheral profile, but it also highlights a key limitation, when Finnie is consistently delivering hits, he is not controlling the puck. At higher levels, sustained offense is driven by possession, and there are legitimate questions about whether his timing- and finesse-based scoring game can survive when he is not dictating play.

Finnie increasingly looks like a long shot rather than a future lineup staple. His strong peripheral coverage, well over a hit per game, does give him a usable floor in banger formats, but his Evolving Hockey player card is concerning, with both offensive and defensive impacts grading out below average. That combination makes it difficult to envision him earning consistent ice time in scoring situations, especially as more complete and possession-driving prospects move ahead of him on the depth chart. If his junior production or early-season momentum is still inflating his perceived value, this is a reasonable window to sell before the gap between fantasy usefulness and real offensive upside becomes clearer.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Sebastian Cossa	Buy	High-upside goaltender stabilizing his development curve
Trey Augustine	Buy	Efficient, composed goalie with long-term NHL potential
Carter Bear	Buy	Early-stage winger with translatable habits and upside
Max Plante	Sell	Dynasty stock at its peak, time to capitalize
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård	Sell	Physical winger with uncertain offensive projection
Emmitt Finnie	Sell	Great early arrival, facing a narrow NHL path

2026 NHL DRAFT – MID-SEASON RANKING – TOP 64 with Honourable Mentions – Closing gap between top prospects

Brock Otten — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:59:16 +0000

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 4: Sweden's Ivar Stenberg #15 looks on during a stoppage in play against Finland during Semifinal Round action at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship at Grand Casino Arena on January 4, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. (Photo by Micheline Veluvolu/IIHF)

With the World Juniors firmly in the rear-view mirror and many “junior” leagues past the halfway point of their seasons, it is time to update and expand the McKeen’s Hockey 2026 draft rankings. This time around we are bringing you a top 64, in addition to several honourable mentions.

While many in the industry seem to be wavering on the concept of Gavin McKenna being the top player available, he remains at the top of our list. We understand the apprehensiveness, but we also believe that McKenna still possesses the highest upside of any player available this year; plus, his performance in the NCAA has ticked up post WJC’s. However, we also believe that the gap is razor thin at this point between McKenna and several of the players we have ranked behind him. In particular, Ivar Stenberg received a fair amount of support from our team to be ranked ahead of McKenna.

While the race for first overall will be fascinating as June approaches, the debate over the top defenseman available will rage even more intensely. Verhoeff remains ranked first in this grouping, but there are arguments to be made that any of Reid, Smits, or Carels could be or should be the top defenseman selected. One thing is for certain; it is a good year to be drafting in the top five if your organization needs a quality young defender.

Caleb Malhotra, Oscar Hemming, Alexander Command, Wyatt Cullen, and Maddox Dagenais are among our highest climbers compared to the previous ranking. Malhotra suddenly finds himself competing for an OHL scoring title, showing tremendous improvement as an offensive play driver over the course of the last few months. The Oscar Hemming saga finally reached a conclusion after he joined Boston College at the end of December. While the offensive production has been only mediocre, his impact on the ice has been incredibly impressive as a freshman power forward; it’s cliche but he’s passing the eye test on a consistent basis. Command has been terrific for both Sweden internationally and in the J20 league, and he plays a competitive and fast paced game from the center position. Wyatt Cullen hasn’t played a lot this year, but when he has, he’s been outstanding for the NTDP. Lastly, Dagenais is finally putting everything together for the Quebec Remparts, as the former first overall pick in the QMJHL draft is becoming more confident in being able to utilize his physical gifts.

Our largest “fallers” were Xavier Villeneuve, Mathis Preston, Ryan Roobroeck, and Beckham Edwards. While we respect Villeneuve’s offensive upside as one of the draft’s most dynamic playmakers, we also wonder how much his game has truly grown in the last calendar year as one of this draft’s oldest first time eligible players. The offensive production just hasn’t been at an elite level the last few months. Can a trade to Vancouver (WHL) help Mathis Preston find more consistency and urgency in his game? Roobroeck’s offensive production has definitely improved over the last few months, but like Villeneuve, we wonder how much his game has truly improved this year as a third year junior player. Lastly, Beckham Edwards is a power skating forward with a goal scorer’s touch, but, the offensive consistency has been majorly lacking this year and it brings to light concerns over his projection and ceiling.

What about the goalies? Initially, our team wasn’t enamored with the talent level for the position this year, however, some performances over the last few months have helped to change our mind. We have three goaltenders ranked inside of our top 64, with Tobias Trejbal of Youngstown (USHL) sitting at the top of that list. Trejbal has been outstanding in the USHL this year and the UMass commit has the size and athleticism combination to make him a potential NHL starting netminder.

You can expect our next update towards the end of March as we expand to a top 100 ranking.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	TEAM	HT/WT	DOB	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
1	Gavin McKenna	LW	Penn State (NCAA)	5-11/170	12/20/2007	22	10	19	29	19
2	Ivar Stenberg	LW	Frolunda (SHL)	5-11/185	9/30/2007	29	7	21	28	6
3	Keaton Verhoeff	D	North Dakota (NCAA)	6-4/210	6/19/2008	22	6	11	17	23
4	Chase Reid	D	Soo Greyhounds (OHL)	6-2/185	12/30/2007	39	18	27	45	30
5	Alberts Smits	D	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/205	12/2/2007	34	6	7	13	12
6	Carson Carels	D	Prince George (WHL)	6-2/195	6/23/2008	37	12	28	40	42
7	Tynan Lawrence	C	Muskegon (USHL)	6-0/185	8/3/2008	13	10	7	17	6
8	Viggo Bjorck	C	Djurgardens (SHL)	5-9/175	3/12/2008	29	4	4	8	10
9	Caleb Malhotra	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/170	6/2/2008	45	23	38	61	37
10	Ethan Belchetz	LW	Windsor (OHL)	6-5/225	3/30/2008	43	29	16	45	35
11	Oscar Hemming	LW	Boston College (NCAA)	6-4/195	8/13/2008	6	0	3	3	8
12	Adam Novotny	LW	Peterborough (OHL)	6-1/205	11/13/2007	37	22	21	43	8
13	Ryan Lin	D	Vancouver (WHL)	5-11/175	4/18/2008	42	11	39	50	33
14	Daxon Rudolph	D	Prince Albert (WHL)	6-2/205	3/6/2008	45	21	33	54	42
15	Oliver Suvanto	C	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-3/210	9/3/2008	34	2	5	7	14
16	Elton Hermansson	RW	MoDo Hockey (Allsvenskan)	6-1/180	2/5/2008	29	9	7	16	14
17	Ilia Morozov	C	Miami (NCAA)	6-3/195	8/3/2008	24	7	7	14	25
18	Xavier Villeneuve	D	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	5-11/160	9/29/2007	35	6	30	36	35
19	Malte Gustafsson	D	HV 71 (SHL)	6-4/200	6/11/2008	16	0	3	3	2
20	Juho Piiparinen	D	Tappara (Fin-Liiga)	6-2/200	8/10/2008	28	0	3	3	8
21	Alexander Command	C	Orebro (Swe U20)	6-1/185	6/16/2008	24	13	22	35	30
22	Wyatt Cullen	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-11/175	9/8/2008	17	3	11	14	2
23	JP Hurlbert	LW	Kamloops (WHL)	6-0/185	4/11/2008	45	31	41	72	26
24	Nikita Klepov	RW	Saginaw (OHL)	6-0/180	6/27/2008	45	28	32	60	27
25	Mathis Preston	RW	Spokane (WHL)	5-11/175	7/21/2008	36	14	18	32	32
26	Jaxon Cover	LW	London (OHL)	6-2/175	2/13/2008	45	14	20	34	40
27	William Hakansson	D	Lulea (SHL)	6-4/205	10/8/2007	22	0	2	2	8
28	Giorgos Pantelas	D	Brandon (WHL)	6-2/215	4/24/2008	45	2	18	20	30
29	Brooks Rogowski	C	Oshawa (OHL)	6-6/225	6/28/2008	31	7	18	25	10
30	Maddox Dagenais	C	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	3/27/2008	43	20	17	37	23
31	Tomas Chrenko	C	HK Nitra (Slovakia)	5-11/170	11/2/2007	33	6	16	22	6
32	Marcus Nordmark	LW	Djurgardens (Swe U20)	6-1/180	5/4/2008	21	10	20	30	42
33	Egor Shilov	C	Victoriaville (QMJHL)	6-1/180	4/30/2008	42	22	37	59	23
34	Ryan Roobroeck	C	Niagara (OHL)	6-3/215	9/25/2007	45	27	26	53	26
35	Jakub Vanecek	D	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/190	2/25/2008	36	10	15	25	16
36	Pierce Mbuyi	LW	Owen Sound (OHL)	5-10/160	4/17/2008	45	23	27	50	65
37	Jack Hextall	C	Youngstown (USHL)	6-0/190	3/23/2008	38	12	25	37	22
38	Thomas Vandenberg	C	Ottawa (OHL)	6-0/180	9/8/2008	37	17	17	34	14
39	Vladimir Dravecky	D	Brantford (OHL)	6-0/185	12/19/2007	37	7	16	23	20
40	Alessandro Di Iorio	RW	Sarnia (OHL)	6-0/190	3/17/2008	28	10	9	19	8
41	Vilho Vanhatalo	RW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	1/18/2008	29	10	8	18	14
42	Ryder Cali	C	North Bay (OHL)	6-1/210	9/6/2008	24	11	5	16	4
43	Tommy Bleyl	D	Moncton (QMJHL)	6-0/160	12/1/2007	42	7	44	51	22
44	Tobias Trejbal	G	Youngstown (USHL)	6-4/190	11/9/2007	27	20	5	2.04	0.924
45	Charlie Morrison	D	Quebec (QMJHL)	6-3/195	10/12/2007	24	2	4	6	23
46	Oscar Holmertz	C	Linkopings (Swe U20)	6-0/190	3/21/2008	25	7	14	21	2
47	Nikita Scherbakov	D	Salavat Yulayev Ufa (KHL)	6-5/190	10/23/2007	7	0	0	0	4
48	Victor Plante	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	5-9/165	3/10/2008	34	16	13	29	55
49	Adam Goljer	D	HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)	6-3/195	6/7/2008	33	4	6	10	26
50	Luke Schairer	D	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/195	1/30/2008	36	0	9	9	55
51	Niklas Aaram-Olsen	RW	Orebro (Swe U20)	6-0/185	4/19/2008	22	17	15	32	12
52	Gleb Pugachyov	C	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	6-3/200	3/25/2008	27	8	13	21	20
53	Simas Ignatavicius	C	Geneva-Servette (Sui-NL)	6-3/195	10/22/2007	44	5	6	11	41
54	Lars Steiner	RW	Rouyn Noranda (QMJHL)	5-10/175	11/12/2007	24	12	12	24	26
55	Dmitri Borichev	G	Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)	6-3/200	6/19/2008	17	8	6	1.79	0.942
56	Adam Andersson	C	Leksands (Swe U20)	6-3/200	7/2/2008	23	2	13	15	22
57	Alexander Bilecki	D	Kitchener (OHL)	6-1/180	5/9/2008	44	7	15	22	24
58	Axel Elofsson	D	Orebro (Swe U20)	5-10/165	6/3/2008	26	7	24	31	18
59	Xavier Wendt	G	Tri-City (WHL)	6-1/165	1/24/2008	28	17	9	2.42	0.929
60	Adam Valentini	LW	Michigan (NCAA)	5-11/185	4/11/2008	24	6	13	19	40
61	Beckham Edwards	C	Sarnia (OHL)	6-1/180	1/6/2008	45	14	17	31	14
62	Samu Alalauri	D	Pelicans (Fin-U20)	6-2/200	5/31/2008	32	6	17	23	4
63	Ben MacBeath	D	Calgary (WHL)	6-2/185	3/4/2008	43	6	27	33	12
64	Liam Ruck	RW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	6-0/175	2/21/2008	46	27	37	64	26
HM	Simon Katolicky	LW	Tappara (Fin-U20)	6-4/195	7/24/2008	24	5	9	14	16
HM	Timofei Runtso	D	Victoria (WHL)	6-2/185	7/6/2007	45	7	26	33	22
HM	Layne Gallacher	C	Brantford (OHL)	6-1/180	2/16/2008	21	5	7	12	2
HM	Landon Amrhein	LW	Calgary (WHL)	6-4/190	4/6/2008	39	7	16	23	6
HM	Filip Ruzicka	G	Brandon (WHL)	6-7/230	3/24/2008	27	19	7	2.97	0.908
HM	Wiggo Sorensson	C	Boro/Vetlanda (Swe Div 2)	5-11/180	4/15/2008	24	13	16	29	2
HM	Viktor Fyodorov	C	Torpedo-Gorky NN (VHL)	5-10/175	2/21/2008	27	2	5	7	6
HM	Landon Nycz	D	Massachusetts (NCAA)	6-2/200	10/4/2007	24	1	1	2	0
HM	Brady Knowling	G	USN U18 (USDP)	6-5/200	3/9/2008	17	6	8	3.60	0.880
HM	Casey Mutryn	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	6-3/200	7/5/2008	36	7	18	25	32
HM	Tobias Tvrznik	G	Wenatchee (WHL)	6-4/180	7/29/2007	31	13	15	2.89	0.919
HM	Jonas Lagerberg Hoen	RW	Leksands (Swe U20)	6-2/175	10/24/2007	9	9	7	16	33
HM	Olivers Murnieks	C	Saint John (QMJHL)	6-1/190	7/31/2008	29	6	12	18	14
HM	Colin Fitzgerald	C	Pbo-Soo (OHL)	6-2/210	4/1/2008	44	13	12	25	48
HM	Adam Nemec	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	6-1/175	10/18/2007	8	4	6	10	0
HM	Chase Harrington	LW	Spokane (WHL)	6-0/195	10/30/2007	44	17	23	40	73

NHL: CULLEN – 20 FANTASY POINTS – Ryan O’Reilly is having himself a season, Mattias Ekholm is chipping in offensively, Marco Kasper is breaking out of a season-long slump, the Artemi Panarin situation, Mikael Granlund, Mats Zuccarello, and so much more!

Scott Cullen — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:41:19 +0000

Each week, I dig into the stats to find information that can help you make better fantasy hockey decisions. This week, Ryan O’Reilly is having himself a season, Mattias Ekholm is chipping in offensively, Marco Kasper is breaking out of a season-long slump, the Artemi Panarin situation, Mikael Granlund, Mats Zuccarello, and so much more!

#1 A veteran centre who is highly regarded for his two-way play, Nashville Predators pivot Ryan O’Reilly is having one of the most productive seasons of his career at age 34. O’Reilly has erupted for 38 points (12 G, 26 A) in his past 31 games and is up to 51 points (18 G, 33 A) in 53 games. For a player that has never scored a point per game over an NHL season, this is outstanding production. Right now, O’Reilly is skating on Nashville’s top line with Filip Forsberg and Luke Evangelista, but there is the possibility that if the Predators are sellers at the trade deadline that O’Reilly could be one of the most appealing players on the market.

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 14: Detroit Red Wings center Marco Kasper (92) during the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks Tuesday January 14, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire)

#2 Veteran Edmonton Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm recorded the first hat trick of his career in Monday’s 7-4 win over Anaheim and while he’s known for his two-way play rather than his offensive prowess, Ekholm does have eight points (3 G, 5 A) and 10 shots on goal in his past six games. There are benefits to partnering with Evan Bouchard on the Oilers’ top defence pairing and Ekholm is getting second-unit power play time.

#3 Detroit Red Wings forward Marco Kasper had a strong finish to his rookie season in 2024-2025, producing 14 points (9 G, 5 A) in his last 18 games, so there was some reason to be optimistic about his chances this season, but that was not materializing for him. Through his first 47 games, Kasper managed just six points (3 G, 3 A) with 67 shots on goal. He has recently been moved to Detroit’s top line, skating with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, and suddenly Kasper has put up six points (2 G, 4 A) with 17 shots on goal in his past seven games, with his ice time spiking by more than three minutes per game compared to his first 47 games of the season.

#4 The New York Rangers appear to have decided that they are going to trade left winger Artemi Panarin and they are keeping him out of the lineup so that he does not get injured while the Rangers seek a trade for their leading scorer. Panarin’s absence will have a ripple effect throughout the Rangers lineup. Rookie Gabe Perreault is joining J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad on the Rangers’ top line, and Perreault has eight points (3 G, 5 A) in 21 games for the Rangers this season. The 2023 first-round pick had 17 points (10 G, 7 A) in 20 AHL games, so he’s probably ready for a good look in Manhattan and, at least in the short term, he’s got a good situation. Once Panarin gets moved, the lines could be due for another shuffle, depending on what the Rangers get in return.

#5 Anaheim Ducks veteran Mikael Granlund recorded the fourth hat trick of his career during Monday’s loss at Edmonton and with the Ducks’ forward lines getting depleted by injuries, they need Granlund to play a big offensive role. Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Troy Terry, and Frank Vatrano are all out due to injuries and Granlund has recorded 10 points (5 G, 5 A) with 28 shots on goal in his past 11 games. That shot rate is an encouraging sign because Granlund does have a tendency to focus on distributing the puck, sometimes to the detriment of his shot generation.

#6 Injuries have impacted Minnesota Wild veteran right winger Mats Zuccarello but he’s heating up. Since Christmas, Zuccarello has played 17 games and delivered 16 points (6 G, 10 A) with 35 shots on goal. He does have the benefit of playing with Kirill Kaprizov on Minnesota’s top line. Right now, Ryan Hartman is centering the duo, but there has been plenty of movement in that spot, especially since Marco Rossi was injured then traded.

#7 One of the bigger surprises this season is the offensive emergence of Buffalo Sabres defenceman Mattias Samuelsson. Last season, he scored a career high of 14 points (4 G, 10 A) in 62 games. The Sabres fired GM Kevyn Adams in December, replacing him with Jarmo Kekalainen, and there is no reason to believe that a GM change suddenly caused the Sabres to play better, but there’s no denying the results and it applies to Samuelsson. In 21 games since Kekalainen took over, Samuelsson has 20 points (4 G, 16 A) with 27 shots on goal. He is up to 32 points for the season, with zero points on the power play, which is the most points for any skater that has not recorded at least one point on the power play.

#8 An undrafted 27-year-old goaltender who had never played in the NHL before this season, Carolina’s Brandon Bussi is having an amazing impact in his first NHL season. Even though he did not have his best performance Thursday, allowing four goals on 25 shots against Utah, Bussi still got the win, and he has a record of 20-3-1, to go with a .908 save percentage in 24 starts. With Pyotr Kochetkov out for the season and Frederik Andersen struggling, Bussi is making the most of his chance in the National Hockey League.

#9 When the Edmonton Oilers came up short in the Stanley Cup Finals, followed by a slow start to this season, a lot of the blame got pinned on goaltender Stuart Skinner. To be fair, some of that was earned, but it paved the way for the Oilers to trade Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a deal to acquire Tristan Jarry. Jarry has not been great in Edmonton, posting a .884 save percentage in nine games, though he does have a 6-2-1 record. On the other hand, Skinner has a .906 save percentage in 11 starts for Pittsburgh, posting a 7-4 record as the Penguins have been one of the bigger surprise teams in the NHL this season. All of this is to say that there may be some value in Stuart Skinner after it looked like his career was in purgatory.

#10 With the Buffalo Sabres one of the hottest teams in the NHL, the results have improved for individual Sabres, too. Veteran winger Jason Zucker has battled through some injuries this season, but he has seven points (3 G, 4 A) and 16 shots on goal in his past eight games, a solid source of secondary scoring for the surging Sabres while skating on a line with Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn. While his 197 hits in 2022-2023 stands out as an aberration for his career, Zucker does add about a hit per game, sitting on exactly that number with 34 hits in 34 games this season.

#11 The return of Evgeni Malkin to the Penguins lineup is having a positive impact on Tommy Novak, who is still holding the second line centre spot with Malkin skating on right wing. Novak is no prize in the faceoff dot, winning 40 percent of his draws, but in his past seven games, Novak has seven points (1 G, 6 A) and 12 shots on goal for a Penguins team that is surprisingly in the playoff mix.

#12 While Brayden Point is injured, the Tampa Bay Lightning have moved Anthony Cirelli up the depth chart to skate at centre on the top line between Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov. In 13 games this month, Cirelli has 13 points (5 G, 8 A) with 21 shots on goal. Cirelli does not have a major impact on the power play, with only four of his 35 points this season coming with the man advantage, but as a short-term fix, he has value because of his outstanding linemates.

#13 Since the Columbus Blue Jackets made a change behind the bench, replacing Dean Evason with Rick Bowness, they are starting to see better results from centre Adam Fantilli, who was underperforming under Evason. Through 45 games before Evason was let go, Fantilli managed 28 points (12 G, 16 A) with 120 shots on goal. In seven games under Bowness, Fantilli has six points (1 G, 5 A) with 34 shots on goal, improving both his per game point and shot rates. It’s a small sample, but an encouraging sign for a player that the Blue Jackets tend to lean on for offensive production.

#14 Veteran Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson can get overshadowed by Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, who get the power play time on the Montreal blueline, but there’s plenty to like about a defenceman who is riding a six-game point streak, during which he has six assists and 14 shots on goal. With 27 points (5 G, 22 A) in 51 games, Matheson is primed to have the second-best offensive output of his career this season, and he already has 106 blocked shots which makes him worthwhile for fantasy managers, especially those in deeper leagues.

#15 Second-year San Jose Sharks winger Will Smith has been on a tear since returning to the lineup after missing more than a month of action. In six games since returning, Smith has eight points (3 G, 5 A) with 13 shots on goal and now that he’s back on the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf, the Sharks are looking more and more like viable playoff contenders.

#16 It’s looking rather bleak for the Toronto Maple Leafs lately, as the team is winless in six, but veteran forward Max Domi is making the most of his opportunity to skate on the top line with Auston Matthews. In his past seven games, Domi has nine points (3 G, 6 A) with 14 shots on goal while averaging more than 17 minutes of ice time per game. That’s significantly more ice time than Domi has typically received in Toronto and while he is delivering offensive production, it’s also notable that the team isn’t winning even with his uptick in scoring.

#17 One of the more underrated players in the league this season is Nashville Predators right winger Luke Evangelista, who has exceptional play-driving numbers (59.8 CF%, +10.6 CFRel%) thanks to strong performance at both ends of the rink. He only has seven goals, which is part of the reason that he might be overlooked, but in his past 16 games, Evangelista has 13 points (2 G, 11 A) with 29 shots on goal and the Preds outscored opponents 13-8 at 5-on-5 with Evangelista on the ice during that stretch.

#18 Second year Carolina Hurricanes right winger Jackson Blake continues to provide secondary offence, producing six points (2 G, 4 A) and 13 shots on goal in his past six games. Blake is skating on a line with Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven and when that trio is together, the Hurricanes are outscoring opponents 15-10 during 5-on-5 play. It’s even better when Blake and Stankoven are without Hall, as they are outscoring opponents 12-5.

#19 Boston Bruins rookie centre Fraser Minten continues to get better and he’s taking advantage of the opportunities presented on a Bruins team with a need for more offense down the middle of the ice. In his past 15 games, Minten has put up 16 points (8 G, 8 A) with 26 shots on goal. He’s not going to continue scoring on more than 30 percent of his shots over the long haul, but Minten is giving the Bruins options. With Elias Lindholm out, Minten is centering an effective line with Casey Mittelstadt and Viktor Arvidsson on his wings and if Minten continues to score, he’s going to force his way into more ice time. That’s usually how it works.

#20 There are a few backup goaltenders who could be threatening to earn more playing time with their strong play this month. Calgary’s Devin Cooley has a 2-2-1 record with a .937 save percentage in January. The Kings’ Anton Forsberg is 3-0-1 with a .941 save percentage, and San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic is 5-1 with a .913 save percentage in January and Boston’s Joonas Korpisalo is 4-0-1 with a .931 save percentage, so there are some goalies out there trying to earn more playing time. The challenge for most of them is that their starters are well entrenched in their positions, but for fantasy managers that can make daily moves, knowing which backups are delivering results can help make lineup decisions.

*Advanced stats via Natural Stat Trick

2026 NHL DRAFT: DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT – GAVIN MCKENNA, LW, Penn State University (NCAA)

Kyle Pereira — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:00:56 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 22: Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (72) follows the play during the first period of a college hockey game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Penn State Nittany Lions on November 22, 2025, at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire)

Gavin McKenna

2026 NHL Draft Eligible

Position: LW, Shoots: L

H/W: 6-foot-0, 170 Pounds

Date of Birth: 2007-12-20

Stats to Date: 6-18–24 in 20 NCAA GP

Gavin McKenna has been a hot commodity for quite some time now. He was able to play in the WHL in a limited span for his 15-year-old season, getting into 16 games. There, he scored four goals and 14 assists, recording over a point-per-game at an incredibly young age. He followed that up in his first full WHL season with 97 points in 61 games, including 34 goals. He won rookie of the year honors in the WHL and across the entire CHL for his performance that season. He also dominated the U18 World Championship, winning Gold after scoring 20 points in just seven games. Last year saw him elevate his game further, capturing the CHL's player of the year award and a WHL championship. He would end his WHL career after last season, totalling 244 points in 133 games across three seasons.

This season, McKenna would make the jump to the NCAA, after new rules were put into place. These rules between the CHL and NCAA allowed players to still be eligible to play NCAA games regardless of whether or not they played in the CHL. At least, so long as they hadn’t signed a pro contract (for now). With his production in the WHL already remarkable, it was clear he had very little left to prove. The NCAA, which is a tighter checking league with older players littered across the league compared to the WHL, was a step up in competition that McKenna felt was necessary for his development.

McKenna is an elite level playmaker and processor, who reads the ice exceptionally well and makes teams pay with even the slightest of openings. His skill on the puck is remarkable, and easily places close to, or directly at, the top of this class. But it’s his play off the puck and his work ethic in those moments that has caught attention. Additionally, his play at even-strength in the NCAA thus far with Penn State has left plenty to be desired. With his name in the spotlight for so long, and the tougher NCAA competition giving him some trouble early this season, scouts have quickly soured on him. He’s losing traction as the potential number one selection because of it.

Yet, he is still an over point-per-game player despite the struggles. Not only that, but getting the chance to feel out the NCAA and see where he is struggling is a key part of his development. It’s unlikely these issues would have been discovered had he remained - and likely dominated - in the WHL. McKenna projection as a truly game-breaking, franchise cornerstone has become less certain due to his slow first half. But he still projects as a key piece of a team's top line in the future, similar to guys like Nikita Kucherov and Mitch Marner in the offensive zone. It’s important to note, this is a comparison of their offensive styles, not an overall comparison, as Kucherov processes the game slightly better and has better off-puck tendencies, while Marner has a bigger impact in the defensive end. But McKenna’s playmaking can have a similar impact on the game as those two in the right environment. That’s how talented McKenna is.

Skating

McKenna is a solid skater, who relies more on escapability than speed. He works meticulously, controlling the pace of play and looking to dissect the opposition. He doesn’t look to just blow past opponents and scream down the ice. That’s not McKenna’s game. Instead, he wins as a skater by using strong edges to change direction, and marrying that ability with excellent stickhandling skill. That allows him to get past defenders with relative ease, as opposed to skating circles around them.

That’s not to say he’s a bad skater by any means. He has quickness to him, with a good first step and acceleration to move up the ice. In fact, his quick first step is also instrumental in his slipperiness as a skater, allowing him to avoid stick checks and defensive pressure. This edge work and slipperiness is what allows McKenna’s game to click. Plus, McKenna does have speed… when he decides to use that part of his game. But he just does not move at 100% effort, which limits how much his skating can truly impact the game.

If there is a frustrating aspect to this style of skating, it’s that McKenna plays soft along the boards. His smaller frame does not help, of course, as he can be a bit easy to knock off pucks at times. When pressure closes in on him, he can be quick to bail out of plays as well, not looking to engage in a battle. He does not have the raw speed and explosiveness to break away from those areas either, which can put him in those tight spots more often. That contact balance, lack of a willingness to battle along the boards for possession, and lacking of that extra gear in his skating have taken center stage in the NCAA, hurting his game in the eyes of scouts.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-SKATING-McKenna-Straight-Line-Speed-Edges.mp4

McKenna (#9 in red) shows his acceleration and straight-line speed. He does not gain any ground on the retrieving defender, and is quick to bail out of a sprint down the ice. But his first few steps don’t show a ton of explosion, nor does his initial straight-line speed impress. He then shows his edges and ability to track the play with his feet, ultimately forcing a mistake and gaining possession of the puck.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2-SKATING-McKenna-Speed-Burst-Change-of-Direction.mp4

McKenna (#9 in red) shows far more effort and willingness to turn on the jets here. He gets up to top speed rapidly, then shows strong edge work and balance to change directions on the toe drag to get inside positioning on the defender for a better shooting angle. This shows how much better of a skater McKenna can be if he were to push himself harder on a more consistent basis.

GRADE: 55

Shot

McKenna has a great shot that features an excellent release and a lot of power behind it. He exudes a ton of confidence, which allows him to command pucks constantly and the play always finds its way onto his stick. He leads all Penn State players in time with possession of the puck per game, and it resulted in a team-leading 4.1 shots on goal per game. However, he has only converted all those shots into six total goals. Why?

McKenna is a playmaker at heart, and his shooting reflects that at times. He does not always look to shoot to score, often looking to put pucks into spots for tips or rebounds. Another reason for the overall lack of goals is the fact that he doesn’t always drive into those high-danger areas for those excellent looks. In fact, just ~16% of his shots come from the inner-slot area, or the home-plate area of the offensive zone.

Ultimately, McKenna has a very good shot that can beat top goaltenders consistently. But he needs to utilize it more, not from a quantity standpoint, but from a quality standpoint. His playmaking is incredible, but if he can find ways to threaten as a shooter, it makes his game that much more dynamic and difficult to defend against.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-SHOT-McKenna-Shot-Release.mp4

In this clip, McKenna (#9 in red) enters the offensive zone as the second man in, after his teammates forechecking forced a turnover. His teammate then set up McKenna with a pass to the slot, where in one motion, he catches the pass, adjusts his feet and gets off a quick and heavy shot. While he did not score, this showcases his release and the power behind his shots.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2-SHOT-McKenna-Smart-Pass-vs-Minnesota.mp4

Here is an example of McKenna (#72 in white) not shooting to score. He enters into the zone as the trailer and gets the pass at the top of the left circle. Instead of firing one, he decides to send a shot low and on net, with a teammate flying down towards the net. It doesn’t take the bounce needed to threaten, but these are the plays littered in McKenna’s film. He doesn’t always go for the heavy shot, instead electing for a change up that could result in a chance for a teammate.

GRADE: 55

Skills

McKenna is certainly one of the single most skilled players in the 2026 draft. When it comes to raw talent and ability with the puck on his stick, there are very few who are in the same category as him. His ability to escape tight pressure by combining his edges, smarts and stickhandling is ahead of just about every single player in the class. He knows what to do in tight spots and when to time his stickhandling. He can create a lot of plays because of it.

His passing is also a thing of beauty, as he can thread the needle at times to find teammates in high-danger spots. His vision and play-reading ability helps in this area as well, but his ability to actually hit on those passes is what makes him a special playmaker. It’s also the little passes he does that can generate excellent opportunities. He can read the play very well, and has the touch to make very quick, simple passes to spark a rush opportunity. It’s subtle, but so important for the play to unfold.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-SKILLS-McKenna-Smart-Pass-1.mp4

McKenna (#9 in white) made a pass that won’t ever make the highlight reels in this clip. However, without this pass from McKenna, this goal does not happen. The puck gets held in temporarily by Czechia at the start of the clip, and McKenna had to turn back to pick up the loose puck. He’s pressured from both sides, and he flicks a very smart area pass to a teammate between both defenders. That springs a Canada break out, leading almost immediately into a goal scored. A savvy play from McKenna that pretty directly led to a goal, though not many would point to that pass and give him his due credit.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-SKILLS-McKenna-Beautiful-Set-Up-Pass-v-Slovakia.mp4

In this clip, McKenna (#9 in red) displays immense skill, vision, and smarts here. On the powerplay, in an elimination game, he makes two very skilled plays one after the other. Initially, he skates towards the slot, drawing in defenders. Once those defenders are drawn, he makes a cross-ice pass into space to Michael Hage. He then sets his feet, drifts back to the dot and into a passing lane, where Hage zips the return feed as he draws attention. McKenna, understanding that all the Slovak defenders turned to face him when he got the puck, and did not have their sticks in place to protect a one-touch pass back against the grain. So, he does exactly that, threading the needle to the back door for one of the easiest goals Brady Martin will ever score.

GRADE: 67.5

Smarts

McKenna is an incredibly smart player, no doubt. As mentioned several times before, his ability to read the play is second-to-none in this class. From a micro-standpoint, he has the ability to make subtle plays to set up scoring opportunities for himself or teammates. From a macro-standpoint, he has the ability to consistently set up goals with his stickhandling and passing abilities, all because of how quickly he can process plays. He picks his spots very well, and it’s led to him producing at an incredible rate in the WHL at a very young age, and at a point-per-game pace in the NCAA already.

If there’s anything to really nit-pick about his smarts, it’s his off-puck play. That’s a common theme in most evaluations of McKenna. He processes the game so incredibly well, but he doesn’t attack the dangerous areas when he’s away from the puck often enough. He also doesn’t use his smarts well enough to force opponents into mistakes. He doesn’t even have to be aggressive or physical when defending, but using his brain to take strong angles and force mistakes should be possible. But again, that’s nitpicking, because McKenna is an incredibly smart hockey player.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-SMARTS-McKenna-Smart-Pass-vs-Minnesota.mp4

McKenna (#72 in white) shows off his smarts in this clip in a big way. A breakout pass comes up to him, he immediately one-touches it to a teammate with speed. He then skates up the boards, gets the return pass, and then once again sends a one-touch pass across the ice to a teammate streaking in. The pass did not get through cleanly, but it made its way to the intended target, and led to a scoring chance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2-SMARTS-McKenna-cross-ice-pass.mp4

McKenna (#72 in white) again gets a breakout pass at the start of the clip. As he enters the zone, he slows down and pulls up at the blue line. He draws in two defenders before sending a cross-ice pass to a streaking forward. Again, it did not get through cleanly, but his vision and his ability to think the game and know where to go with the puck is outstanding.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-SMARTS-McKenna-near-set-up-v-SVK.mp4

In this clip, McKenna (#9 in red) gets the puck in his spot on the perimeter on the man-advantage. As he gets the puck, he displays tons of poise, waiting for a play to develop around him. As Martin drifts towards the back door, McKenna ripped a pass right at him. The vision and patience he displayed on this play allowed him to nearly set up another fantastic goal, but the pass was a touch too hard in that situation.

GRADE: 67.5

Physicality/Compete

When it comes to playing physically, McKenna just does not have that element in his game. In fact, McKenna plays quite soft along the boards, and it’s part of the reason for his struggles at even-strength at the NCAA level. It will also likely cause him to have growing pains in the NHL when he makes the jump, similar to that of Jack Hughes. The tight checking exhibited in the NCAA versus the WHL is evident, and it’s why McKenna’s draft stock is losing traction as the potential number one pick in the 2026 draft.

To his credit, he showed some more physicality in the World Juniors at times, willing to forecheck and get involved in battles a bit more often. But unless that carries over into his play at the NCAA level and becomes a more consistent aspect of his game, his physical ability is going to be well-below-average. He doesn’t have to be anywhere close to a wrecking ball, but pushing himself a bit more along the boards and being a more willing battler in general would go a long way into winning over scouts down the stretch.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1-PHYSICAL-McKenna-Losing-Physical-Battle.mp4

In this clip, McKenna (#72 in white) has a puck pop out into space in front of him. Yes, he was tripped up a bit, but when he regained his footing, he tried to make a quick move and jump to the side of the pursuing player. Instead, the slight bump from a player now without a stick, forces a very easy turnover and clearance.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2-PHYSICAL-McKenna-NZD-effort.mp4

In this clip, however, McKenna (#72 in white) puts on display what he showed a bit of in the World Juniors. His team turns the puck over in the neutral zone, and he gets back quickly to help defend. He then reads the play, times up his pinch well, and denies a zone entry attempt by Minnesota with an excellent stick. It’s a small play, but it’s one that many want to see more of from McKenna.

GRADE: 45

OFP: 58.5

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – Dallas Stars Edition

Victor Nuño — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:22:48 +0000

Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel (6). (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

Dallas Stars Edition

Team Outlook

The Dallas Stars remain one of the league’s most structurally sound organizations, blending a competitive NHL roster with a quietly strong development system. With a veteran core anchored by Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and Miro Heiskanen, Dallas continues to contend in the present while maintaining a steady pipeline of young talent capable of supplementing the roster in the coming years. Their success has limited true rebuilding opportunities, which means prospects must force their way into meaningful roles rather than being handed them.

For dynasty managers, Dallas represents a classic patience test. Opportunities will be earned slowly, and not every highly regarded name will find premium deployment in a deep lineup. Identifying which prospects possess the upside to break through and which may stall in support roles is critical. This edition focuses on three young assets trending upward and three whose market value may currently exceed their long-term fantasy outlook.

Buy Candidates

Arno Tiefensee, G (23)

Why Buy?

Tiefensee is emerging as one of the more intriguing goaltending prospects in the Stars’ system, and his recent progression suggests he may be closer to NHL relevance than many managers realize. He has shown strong technical structure, excellent rebound control, and improving puck tracking since arriving in North America, allowing him to handle heavier workloads with growing consistency. His calm positioning and ability to manage lateral plays stand out, particularly for a goaltender still adjusting to the smaller ice surface. While Hockey Prospecting currently pegs him at just a 19% percent chance of becoming an NHL regular, with comparables ranging from Keith Kinkaid to Mike Vernon, that wide spectrum reflects both the volatility of goaltender development and the upside still present in his profile. Notably, his overall trajectory and recent performance suggest he may now carry more upside than fellow Dallas prospect Remi Poirier, who has stalled somewhat in his development curve.

This is an ideal speculative buy window. Despite the modest projection, Tiefensee has delivered strong results in the AHL this season, posting a .922 save percentage and a 2.37 goals against average on a competitive Texas roster. Dallas continues to prioritize internal goaltending development, and while Jake Oettinger remains firmly entrenched as the starter, the organization lacks a clear long-term backup or succession plan. Tiefensee already looks capable of growing into at least a reliable NHL backup, with realistic 1B upside if his trajectory continues. Don’t let his time in the ECHL dissuade you from acquiring him. In deeper dynasty formats, acquiring a young goaltender on a structurally strong team before his role and value solidify can offer significant long-term return.

Emil Hemming, RW (19)

Why Buy?
Hemming continues to solidify himself as one of the most complete forward prospects in the Stars’ pipeline. His combination of pace, forechecking pressure, and offensive instincts allows him to impact the game in multiple ways, and his transition game remains one of his strongest assets. His calling card remains his shot, which already looks NHL ready, with a quick release and the ability to beat goaltenders cleanly from range. He attacks defenders with confidence, generates controlled entries at a high rate, and has made impressive strides in both his off-puck game and playmaking, rounding out his profile beyond pure finishing. His development curve this season suggests he is beginning to convert tools into sustainable production.

Hemming represents an excellent blend of floor and ceiling. He was once again an important contributor for Finland at the World Junior Championship, reinforcing his ability to perform in high-leverage international settings, and his production with the Barrie Colts has continued to trend upward as the season has progressed. His pNHLe has climbed significantly, now up to 64 after sitting closer to 40 earlier in the season, a meaningful jump that reflects his improving offensive impact. While his current comparables remain modest, names like Mike Amadio and Chris Tierney, the upward trajectory is encouraging. If that trend continues, his long-term value could rise considerably beyond what those early projections suggest. He still projects as a reliable top nine NHL winger with legitimate top six upside if his offensive processing continues to evolve. His shot volume and willingness to play through contact give him strong multi-category appeal, while Dallas’ long-term need for young, cost-controlled wingers creates a realistic path to opportunity. With his name still flying slightly under the radar compared to flashier prospects, this remains a prime time to acquire him before broader recognition catches up.

Lian Bichsel, D (21)

Why Buy?
Bichsel remains one of the more polarizing defense prospects in the system, but his physical toolkit and defensive maturity are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. At 6-foot-5, he brings elite reach, strength along the boards, and strong net-front presence, and his impact is already showing up in measurable ways. Over the past two seasons, the only defenseman averaging more hits per game is Jeremy Lauzon, placing Bichsel firmly among the league’s most physical blueliners. While his offensive game remains limited, his puck movement has improved, and he is showing more confidence activating in transition and supporting the rush. His reads in the defensive zone continue to sharpen, allowing him to neutralize top competition effectively.

Bichsel offers a profile that is often undervalued but extremely useful in the right formats. His production is somewhat unidimensional, he averages roughly one shot per game and blocks fewer than one per contest, which limits his appeal in points leagues, but his elite hit volume can single-handedly swing weekly matchups in category formats. His Evolving Hockey player card does raise some concern, as his defensive impact has not yet translated into increased deployment, and he is currently sitting just under 16 minutes per night. That said, he remains a young defender with fewer than 65 NHL games played, and as he earns more trust and ice time, his peripheral totals could climb even further. Do not expect meaningful point production, that is not his profile, but in leagues that reward hits, blocks, and time on ice, Bichsel projects as a quietly valuable top four defender who can be acquired at a significant discount.

Sell Candidates

Cameron Schmidt, RW (19)

Why Sell?
Schmidt plays with pace and edge, and his motor is a bigger driver of his game than his pure scoring touch. While the goals have come in bunches at the junior level, his overall impact is more dependent on forechecking pressure, transition energy, and opportunistic offense than sustained play-driving. His skating remains only average by NHL standards, and his defensive engagement is still inconsistent, which complicates his projection into a reliable top six role. That profile lines up with his Hockey Prospecting probability dipping to 28% percent, which is still a respectable mark, but more in line with a middle-six energy forward than a true scoring-line fixture.

This is a classic case of market value outpacing certainty. Goal scorers often carry inflated perception early in development, and Schmidt’s highlight-reel production has driven optimism. Yet his pathway to top six minutes in a deep Dallas system is far from guaranteed. If another manager views him as a future first-line sniper, this is an excellent opportunity to capitalize before role limitations and developmental volatility compress his long-term fantasy ceiling.

Ayrton Martino, LW (23)

Why Sell?
Martino’s development curve has flattened considerably since turning professional, with his AHL production plummeting after a strong NCAA run. While he still flashes the same pace and transition ability that made him effective at the collegiate level, his impact at five-on-five has been far more limited against pro competition. His offense now looks more dependent on opportunistic touches than on consistent play-driving, and his lack of high-end puck skills or finishing ability has become more pronounced at this level. That regression is captured in the data, as his pNHLe in the Rank King application has fallen sharply from 52 to 20, a major signal that his earlier scoring projection was overly optimistic.

This is a clear case of expectations needing a reset. What once looked like a potential middle six scoring winger now profiles more as a depth or complementary forward with limited point ceiling. His comparables to Josh Bailey and Kirby Dach in the NHL Rank King application are starting to look increasingly wishful rather than predictive, given how little offensive gravity he is generating in the AHL. With his perceived value still anchored to his NCAA résumé in some circles, this remains a reasonable sell window before his long-term projection settles into a much more modest fantasy outcome.

Mavrik Bourque, C (24)

Why Sell?
Bourque remains one of the most talented playmakers in the Stars’ system, and his offensive intelligence continues to stand out. He processes the game at a high level, distributes effectively through traffic, and thrives as a facilitator on the power play. At the AHL level, he has consistently driven offense and shown the vision required to run a line. His Evolving Hockey player card based on his NHL time paints a more sobering picture, showing him as below average for an NHLer both offensively and defensively. That gap between skill reputation and underlying impact raises real questions about whether he can reach another level in production.

Bourque now profiles best as a middle six distributor rather than a primary offensive driver. With his reputation still carrying some weight, the window to get what you can for him is closing. Hopefully someone in your league still views him as a reliable NHL scorer, as the chances of that happening are growing smaller by the day.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Arno Tiefensee	Buy	Rising goaltender with NHL backup and long-term upside
Emil Hemming	Buy	Well-rounded winger with strong top six projection
Lian Bichsel	Buy	Physical defender with top four potential and strong peripherals
Cameron Schmidt	Sell	Goal scorer with volatile projection and role risk
Ayrton Martino	Sell	Speed winger likely capped as a middle-six contributor
Mavrik Bourque	Sell	Skilled playmaker whose fantasy ceiling may be limited by role