It’s that time of the year for The Win Column’s NHL Draft Rankings and Draft Profiles! Earlier on, we released the TWC consolidated 2026 NHL Draft rankings. The 2026 NHL Draft will take place on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo. Today, we’re looking at dynamic centreman Tomas Chrenko, the top forward out of Slovakia available at the 2026 NHL Draft.
The Slovakian-born forward had a strong 2026–27 season with his hometown team, HK Nitra in Slovakia. Through 44 games, the 18-year-old recorded nine goals and 31 points.
Who is Tomas Chrenko?
| Position | Shoots | Height | Weight | Nationality | Ranking |
| Centre | Right | 5’11” / 180cm | 170lbs / 77kg | Slovakian | TWC Rank #29 / CS EU Rank #24 |
Chrenko was born in Slovakia and has played hockey there throughout his entire career. He only stands at 5’11” and 170 pounds, but that does not limit his scoring abilities. Chrenko still has plenty of time to grow and get stronger, which will only increase his offensive power.
Chrenko’s on-ice production
| Year | Draft Rel. | League | Team | GP | G | A | P |
| 2023-24 | D-2 | SVK U20 | HK Nitra U20 | 44 | 24 | 44 | 68 |
| 2024-25 | D-1 | SVK U20 | HK Nitra U20 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 61 |
| 2025-26 | D-0 | SVK | HK Nitra | 44 | 9 | 22 | 31 |
Dominating at the Junior level
Chrenko has played parts of the last three seasons at the U20 level in Slovakia. He has always been a member of the HK Nitra and earned a promotion this past season. Chrenko always built upon his previous seasons at the U20 level. In the 2023–24 year, he finished with 68 points. The following year, he posted 61 points in 16 fewer games. Finally, to start the 2025–26 season, Chrenko only played in four games with the U20 team. That was because the forward exploded for 10 points in that span. He earned a promotion to the men’s team and never looked back.
Chrenko actually split the 2024–25 year with the U20 and men’s team. It was not until this previous season that he earned a full-time role. He finished the year as the seventh-best scorer on his team with up to 10 fewer games played. It is safe to say that he could be ready for the jump to North America.
Chrenko’s Strengths
Playmaking
Both of Chrenko’s main strengths are based on his ability to produce offence. His main skill is playmaking. Chrenko is a very creative forward who can create scoring chances in a variety of different ways. This helps him set up his teammates at crucial times in a game. Chrenko uses a wide range of skills to succeed in his playmaking. The small forward has great vision, skating agility, and hockey sense that make him a consistent threat.
Shot
Another main strength of Chrenko’s is his shot. Although it may not be the hardest, Chrenko has some great accuracy, which was shown on the world stage in December. He was tied for second in the tournament with goals during the 2026 WJC, where he scored a few eye-catching goals. His ability to pick corners on the half wall during the power play is a sweet thing to watch as a hockey fan.
Chrenko’s Weakness
Strength
The Slovakian forward does have one major weakness, and that is his strength. He currently stands under six feet tall and only weighs in at 170lbs. This can be a disadvantage for him, especially during puck battles in intense games. As much as this can be a weakness, it can also be seen as a chance to grow. Chrenko has plenty of time to get stronger, which would only benefit him down the line. If he can bulk up a bit over the next few years, he will be ready for professional hockey.
Chrenko’s Comparables
| Scenario | NHL Comparable | Position | Why |
| Best Case | Martin Necas | Centre | Playmaking/Vision ability |
| Likely Outcome | Jack Roslovic | Centre/Winger | Passing/Depth Scorer |
Two players whom I think Chrenko relates to are Martin Necas and Jack Roslovic. Obviously, the absolute best-case scenario would be Chrenko turning out like Necas. I think he has similar playmaking and edgework to Necas. It would take Chrenko a while to develop into a player of that calibre, but I see some great skill in his game.
Another player he relates to is Jack Roslovic. This is the more likely outcome in my opinion, which would be Chrenko developing into a middle-six centreman. Roslovic is a relatable player who has some flashy offensive outbursts. He showed that a few times with the Edmonton Oilers this past season. If he does not become a top-line player, I could see Chrenko being a similarly valuable depth scorer.
Fit with the Flames
| Organizational Need Addressed | Centre Prospect |
| Realistic Pick Range | 25-32 |
| NHL Timeline | 3-4 seasons, AHL first |
| Flames fit? | Likely |
I think Chrenko would be a good late first-round or early second-round pick for the Flames. He is an offensive-minded centreman, which is something that this franchise is desperate for. Outside of Cole Reschny, the Flames have no other top centreman prospects. Reschny may only have a ceiling of a second-line centreman, so this team needs to draft a couple of centremen in the 2026 NHL Draft.
In the big picture, I doubt Chrenko solves the franchise centreman problem that the Flames are currently facing, but I think he could be a good second or third line centre of the future. Do you think the Flames should take a chance on Chrenko?
Summary
Chrenko is a skilled offensive prospect. He is a centreman, which makes him valuable to the Flames, but he does not have certified superstar potential. Although if he were to hit his maximum potential in becoming a Necas-type player, he could be a huge turning point for the franchise.
Check out all of The Win Column’s individual player profiles of selected 2026 NHL Draft Prospects.
