Xavier Villeneuve is currently injured, so that naturally creates this conversation about him dropping in the 2026 NHL Draft. He may drop; he’s not going to be in the Top 10, that’s for sure, but after that, I think there will be a lot of conversation about him until he is selected somewhere in the first round.
Villeneuve is an exciting defenseman to watch. He plays for Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the “Q”. For one and a half seasons, he’s been more than a point-per-game player. Considering his league, I knock it down a smidge, but the overall talent is there, and that’s what really matters. In the U18s, he had the same results, so there’s that.
The way he makes cuts and directional changes while carrying the puck makes it hard for defenders to hit him, for those who are worried about him being 5-11. He is an effortless passer. Stretch passes, cross-ice, one-armed, he can make them all. He has some that are risky, but that’s part of what makes him dangerous at any level.
He can run the power play and be a catalyst on it. This talented prospect has a quick wrist shot. His release is fast and suitable for the pros someday. He’s not Lane Hutson. Let’s not go there. It’s not fair to him.
I like the way Villeneuve chips the puck back up the ice on defense. He’s not physical but has an active stick. His time with the puck keeps the other team from having it as well. That is a tool and something that helps his game.
I think he’s a #3, depending on the team, and a top power play performer. He has a short-handed goal this season as well. He can get 45-55 points in the NHL someday as long as he has a chance to build himself up physically (he currently weighs 157 pounds) and gets a chance to round out his game. If that NHL franchise does that, he can be a good one.
I think he gets picked anywhere from 11 to 17. I might change my mind about that, especially if he doesn’t come back from injury to put on a strong effort down the stretch. Let’s see how all that goes for him.
