The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft has concluded. As we look ahead to round two, there’s still a good amount of talent left on the board. Let’s take a look at some of the best prospects remaining:
Mathis Preston, RW, 5’11”, 176 LBS
Preston is one of if not the fastest skater in this draft class. Combined with a great shot, Preston brings a unique package if he can put it all together. His lack of production on a poor Chiefs team and injuries are the reasons for his ability on day two.
Yegor Shilov, C/LW, 6,1″, 176 lbs
Shilov is a skilled playmaker with great handling and hockey sense. One of the best players in this draft based on pure skill. There is some concern with the pace he plays, however, as well as the physical attributes of the game.
Tomas Chrenko, C, 5’11”, 172 lbs
Chrenko is a very divisive player. He is extremely skilled and brings a good profile across the board, but struggles against bigger opponents. He could look like a steal in a few years, or teams will be happy they passed on him. There is a ton of risk in picking Chrenko, so look for a team with a bunch of picks in this years draft to take the chance.
Xavier Villeneuve, LD, 5,11″, 163 lbs
Every year, it seems there’s a small dynamic defenceman that doesn’t go on day one and everyone in the scouting community spends the next day pounding the table until he goes. Both Lane and Cole Hutson went through this. Then they become an absolute stud at the next level. With Carolina winning the cup with two defencemen under 6’0″, I thought the tides might change and Villeneuve would go in round one. Alas, he is still available, and will bring a dynamic skating and handling ability to whatever organization calls his name in round two.
William Hakansson, LD, 6’4″, 216 lbs
Out of all players, I’m most surprised that Hakansson didn’t go in round one, given his combination of size and skating. He certainly has inconsistencies to his game, but he can definitely slot into an NHL defence core if he can improve his pace and physical play.
Markus Ruck, C, 6’0″, 168 lbs
After his brother Liam went to the Pittsburgh Penguins at 22nd overall on night one, all eyes turn to the Penguins at 39th overall for Markus. The twin brothers were dynamic together, but Markus isn’t viewed of as highly given his lack of speed and strength. Given the desire to play both brothers together, will teams look to play chicken with the Penguins?
Simas Ignatavicius, C/RW, 6’3″, 201 lbs
Ignatavicius brings a worker bee style and net front play, which makes his floor very high. He’s almost guaranteed to play NHL games, in a third or fourth line role. How much of a ceiling is the question that needs to be answered. NHL teams will need to decide whether they put their eggs in another player for their potential, or take more of a sure thing here in Ignatavicius.
Brooks Rogowski, 6’7″, 236 lbs
The obvious thing that comes to mind right away is Rogowski’s size. Skating is usually a concern with players of this size, but that is not the case in Rogowski’s case, as I would say his skating is above average to good. He’s another worker bee archetype who will have a high floor. While playing in an offensively dry environment in Oshawa this year, Rogowski may have more to give to grow that ceiling into a solid top-nine forward.
Ryder Cali, C/LW, 6’2″, 218 lbs
A big body, Cali is a relentless forechecker who has shown flashes of skill. He’s another guy who has a high floor, his playstyle relates perfectly to a third or fourth line winger that we see in today’s NHL.
Tobias Trejbal, G, 6’4″, 188 lbs
Likely to be the first goalie taken off the board, Trejbal put together a 0.915 SV% and 2.15 GAA in the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms. He is the teammate of Flames 30th overall pick Jack Hextall.
Lots of quality for the second day of the draft
The top of the top prospects have found their new hockey homes but there is still some quality left on day two. A variety of skilled and worker bee forwards, alongside a dynamic undersized defenceman.
