This is a collection of NHL Draft-eligible players who have that “look” on and off the ice. Maybe they gave me an A+ answer at the NHL Combine, or maybe they did something on the ice. These are players to watch for this reason, among others, heading into the 2026 NHL Draft.
Albert Smits – This defenseman doesn’t care who he plays against. He’s a good guy off the ice, but on the ice he’s a bastard in the best possible way. Some said he didn’t do well with his interviews at the NHL Combine, even if that’s true, his play does the talking, and he’s the only player in the draft who played in the Olympics. That counts for something. Winning the EJ McGuire Award of Excellence was a nice touch – exemplifying character and athleticism. I wouldn’t have continued in the prospect world without EJ’s mentoring and helping me navigate that in the early days.
Alexander Command – He’s a face-off shark. He has a great compete level, and you can load minutes on him, and the center’s play never drops off. 1.30 hits per game according to InStat. He plays bigger than his 6-1, 187-pound frame. I like his one-timer, too.
Juho Piipharinen – He’s a 6-3 defenseman who is a good skater and terrific in his own end. He’s not a banger, not yet, but he gets inside position on forwards, grinds along the walls, and controls the puck and has clean zone exits with accurate passes. He’s not going to score much with his one-timer, but the rest is everything you can ask for when you need a reliable defender on the ice.
Adam Andersson – He’s a 6-4, physical center who won 57% of his face-offs and 51% in puck battles according to InStat. Was a part of Sweden’s gold medal team in the U18s, same as Command. I like his acceleration and passing. He always has a stick in a lane and competes for every inch of ice.
Ethan Belchetz – He’s the heaviest of hitters. He can stand guys up. I love his one-timer and his quick wrist shot. He averaged 1.69 hits per game. He averaged over 19 minutes a game for Windsor. The 6-5 left wing is 229 pounds and can play heavy hockey. He is trusted defensively, and the opposition has a hard time holding him back. He has a lethal right hand if you are dumb enough to fight him.
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Tagged: 2026 NHL Draft