{"id":672043,"date":"2026-05-15T21:47:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T21:47:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/672043\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T21:47:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T21:47:29","slug":"superlatives-for-the-2026-nhl-draft-class-the-hockey-writers-nhl-entry-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/672043\/","title":{"rendered":"Superlatives for the 2026 NHL Draft Class – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some teams have vastly different values assigned to various traits in hockey players\u2014what\u2019s important differs from organization to organization. Which prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft<\/a> have the best shot, skating, hockey IQ, playmaking, hands, and physicality\/compete, and which are the most complete?<\/p>\n

Best Shot<\/p>\n

Nominees: Alberts \u0160mits, Mathis Preston, Niklas Aaram-Olsen<\/p>\n

One of the best ceiling-raisers for a defenseman is a booming shot, and Alberts \u0160mits<\/a> has one. With a 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame, he can put a ton of power into a blast from the point\u2014a one-timer or otherwise. When necessary, his skating allows him to get better looks.<\/p>\n

Mathis Preston<\/a> was a consensus top-10 prospect<\/a> before the 2025-26 season began, then fell considerably on many boards as time went on. But the talent didn\u2019t vanish overnight. Even if the offensive totals don\u2019t exactly show it, he has a game-breaking release. There\u2019s a lot of power behind his shot.<\/p>\n

Rounding things out is Niklas Aaram-Olsen<\/a>. He scored 20 goals in 29 games in Sweden\u2019s top junior league and had four goals in five games at the U18 World Championship. Those are good, not jaw-dropping totals for a draft-eligible player, but his release is incredible. He\u2019s the type of player you can\u2019t give time and space.<\/p>\n

Best Skating<\/p>\n

Nominees: Mathis Preston, Tommy Bleyl, Wyatt Cullen<\/p>\n

In addition to his shot, Preston is an excellent skater. His effortless movement makes him a serious threat on the cycle and on the rush. He finished with 44 points in 46 games this season in the Western Hockey League (WHL), which was a bit of an underachievement, but Preston\u2019s skill is can\u2019t-miss nonetheless.<\/p>\n

As of writing, Tommy Bleyl<\/a> has the third-most full-season points for a draft-year defenseman in Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) history: 106. But we\u2019re here to talk about his elite mobility. He can take the puck end-to-end, and there\u2019s a level of poise in his game that you don\u2019t see very often.<\/p>\n

Wyatt Cullen<\/a>, a big-time riser, has great mobility. He\u2019s like a shark in the offensive zone, able to circle around his prey until he finds the right play. There\u2019s a lot to like<\/a> about the 17-year-old forward, but his skating puts it all together.<\/p>\n

Best Hockey IQ<\/p>\n

Nominees: Gavin McKenna, Carson Carels, Daxon Rudolph<\/p>\n

This is probably who you were waiting to see. Gavin McKenna<\/a>\u2018s hockey IQ is off the charts, and it\u2019s one of the primary reasons that he\u2019s the consensus pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs at No. 1 overall. He can slow the play down with the best of them, opening up passing lanes for high-danger chances. It can\u2019t be overstated how smart this player is.<\/p>\n

\"GavinPenn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (Matthew O\u2019Haren-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Carson Carels<\/a> has entered the top-five conversation for the 2026 NHL Draft, with his hockey sense being the bread and butter of his game. He\u2019s arguably the best pure defender in the class, which takes a high level of awareness and intelligence. The offense took a step this season, too, showcasing quality vision.<\/p>\n

Daxon Rudolph<\/a> blooms with offensive potential. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound defenseman is calculated yet dangerous with the puck, making him one of the premier creators from the back end in this year\u2019s draft. His shutdown game also has some juice.<\/p>\n

Best Playmaker<\/p>\n

Nominees: Gavin McKenna, Viggo Bj\u00f6rck, Caleb Malhotra<\/p>\n

McKenna\u2019s second appearance is at the top of the playmaker list. Among draft-year or younger prospects this century, he holds the highest and second-highest assist-per-game totals in the WHL and NCAA, respectively (according to QuantHockey<\/a>). But beyond the production, the 18-year-old winger has impeccable vision and is so effective at manipulating defenses that assists come easily to him.<\/p>\n

Next up is Viggo Bj\u00f6rck<\/a>, whose hockey IQ is also a calling card. Last season, he joined Leo Carlsson as the only draft-minus-one prospect in U20 Nationell history with at least 1.10 assists per game across double-digit contests. Playing in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) as a 17-year-old was a bit of a learning curve at first, but by season\u2019s end, he was putting his elite vision on display in a top-line center role<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Finally, we have Caleb Malhotra<\/a>. Perhaps he doesn\u2019t have the same level of vision as McKenna and Bj\u00f6rck, but what sets him apart is his competitiveness. Malhotra wins pucks off the opposition and has the skating ability, skill level, and IQ to set his teammates up for gorgeous chances. He had 68 assists in 82 games across the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) regular season and the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Best Hands<\/p>\n

Nominees: Gavin McKenna, Xavier Villeneuve, Wyatt Cullen<\/p>\n

McKenna\u2019s third and final appearance comes in the hands department. He has the hockey sense and the playmaking, but what puts it all together is his ability to handle the puck. Even as a freshman at the college level, McKenna put on a show, using his hands to beat defenders and set up chances.<\/p>\n

Xavier Villeneuve<\/a>\u2018s draft projection has fallen slightly since the start of the season\u2014which was unusually high for a 5-foot-11, 157-pound defenseman\u2014but the potential never left. The name of Villeneuve\u2019s game is his offense, which is partially made possible by his hands. Skating plays a role in what he\u2019s able to do with the puck, but he\u2019s a magician when he has possession at the blue line. He was a point-per-game player in the QMJHL in both 2024-25 and 2025-26<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cullen is working his way into top-10 discussions somewhat late in the scouting process, and it\u2019s not just the skating leading the way. His hands are exceptional, able to maneuver the neutral zone with the puck on a string and deke defenders out of their skates on the rush.<\/p>\n

Best Physicality\/Compete<\/p>\n

Nominees: Alexander Command, Oscar Hemming, Oliver Suvanto<\/p>\n

Alexander Command<\/a> is very well-rounded. He has a strong shot and vision, but most of all, his energy level is phenomenal. He\u2019s a great forechecker and gets to the middle of the ice frequently in the offensive zone. Sweden\u2019s U20 Nationell isn\u2019t the most demanding league out there, but the skill level he displays while playing a physical style is super impressive.<\/p>\n

Oscar Hemming<\/a> is everything you\u2019d want out of a 6-foot-4, 193-pound forward. He has legitimate skill, which is maximized by his physicality and net-front presence. Though eight points in 19 NCAA games wasn\u2019t exactly the most dominant showing on his behalf, he does the dirty work that generates offense.<\/p>\n

Oliver Suvanto<\/a> is arguably the top shutdown forward in this year\u2019s draft. He\u2019s big, plays hard, and his defensive game is superb\u2014and all of this at the professional level. Generating more offense will be the next step for him, but he has shown flashes in that department.<\/p>\n

Most Complete<\/p>\n

Nominees: Chase Reid, Ivar Stenberg, Caleb Malhotra<\/p>\n

Chase Reid<\/a> doesn\u2019t have many weaknesses. For starters, his skating was a contender for a top-three spot. He can go end-to-end and is arguably the best offensive zone quarterback in the class next to McKenna. His shot, especially, but also his vision, make him extremely dynamic with the puck. Defensively, he looked really solid this season, shutting plays down and showcasing good positioning.<\/p>\n

Ivar Stenberg<\/a> was in contention for several of the previous categories. His shot, playmaking, skating, and IQ give him first-line upside, evidenced by putting up the highest SHL point total for a draft-year prospect since Daniel<\/a> and Henrik Sedin<\/a> (33). When you combine the offensive ability with his defensive presence, you can see why Stenberg\u2019s still in some first-overall debates.<\/p>\n

To close it out, Malhotra is on this list once again for reasons previously mentioned. He was nearly a goal-per-game player in the OHL Playoffs, yet his playmaking is his top offensive trait. The 17-year-old center skates well, is smart, and is fully engaged in all three zones. His production is weaker than that of your typical future first-line center, but with the traits Malhotra possesses, there\u2019s no reason to doubt him.<\/p>\n

Individual traits aren\u2019t everything, but if you\u2019re looking for upside, these are the types of players you want to draft. Most of them will be picked pretty early, and all of them are first-round contenders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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