2026 NHL Draft News & Stories
Insights, analysis, and news about 2026 NHL Draft from the Elite Prospects editorial team. Stay updated with expert coverage on 2026 NHL Draft, including key stories and in-depth articles.
Jul 1st, 14:03Canadian Hockey LeagueBreaking down our favourite picks at the 2026 CHL Import Draft
The always-intriguing CHL Import Draft is in the books, and this year's edition was particularly interesting with new rules and some twists.
Jun 30th, 02:482026 NHL DraftScouts Roundtable: Our favourite picks and biggest surprises at the 2026 NHL Draft
Our NHL Draft scouting team shares their favourite picks and biggest surprises from this year's draft.
Jun 29th, 15:132026 NHL DraftScouting reports on 16 surprise picks at the 2026 NHL Draft
Connor Davis, Tyler Deakos, Finn Kearns, and more highlight 16 surprise picks at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Jun 29th, 14:00SHLSan Jose Sharks prospect Ivar Stenberg wins 2026 Elite Prospects Award
The Elite Prospects Award is annually awarded to the best junior-aged player in the SHL.
Jun 27th, 21:512026 NHL DraftElite Prospects 2026 NHL Draft Grades
A team-by-team look at how all 32 NHL teams fared at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Jun 27th, 14:342026 NHL DraftThe NHL's decentralized draft is now a fact of life moving forward
It looks like the NHL's decentralized draft is here to stay..jpg)
Jun 26th, 13:072026 NHL DraftSmoke, buzz, and intel: What we’re hearing ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft
It’s NHL Draft day! Here’s what we’re hearing in terms of picks, trades, and more.
Jun 25th, 17:122026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Keaton Verhoeff's raw tools and upside make him a worthwhile pick
Learn more about one of the more intriguing defence prospects at the top-end of this draft class.
Jun 25th, 15:232026 NHL DraftThe final top-64 2026 NHL mock draft
Cam Robinson returns with his final mock draft of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Jun 24th, 15:142026 NHL DraftRanking the 2026 NHL Draft's top forwards in six different categories
Here's how our scouting team determined our final ranking of the top six forwards for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Jun 24th, 13:552026 NHL DraftFive bold predictions for the 2026 NHL Draft
The week leading up to the draft is one of the most interesting parts of the NHL season...
Jun 23rd, 17:572026 NHL DraftFilm Room: How Tommy Bleyl skated his way from prep hockey to first-round consideration
Tommy Bleyl's draft-year leap to the QMJHL has paid off in spades and broken records.
Jun 23rd, 16:542026 NHL DraftYour guide to following – and understanding – the NHL Draft
Your step-by-step guide to following and understanding the NHL Draft. The 2026 edition takes place this Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Jun 22nd, 18:162026 NHL DraftHow an overseas move to the QMJHL accelerated Lars Steiner's path to the NHL Draft
After overcoming injury and proving himself in the QMJHL, the Swiss winger enters the NHL Draft as one of the class' most intriguing under-the-radar prospects.
Jun 22nd, 15:592026 NHL DraftRanking the 2026 NHL Draft's top defencemen in six different categories
Here's how our scouting team determined our final ranking of the top seven defenders for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Jun 22nd, 14:582026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Could Juuso Ainasto battle his way to a starting role?
After flying under the radar all season, the Finnish netminder could be one of the biggest dark horses in the draft.
Jun 19th, 17:252026 NHL DraftFilm Room: How Tynan Lawrence's pace could carry him to a top-six NHL centre role
Why teams shouldn't bet against this high-pace centre despite an unideal draft season.
Jun 19th, 17:222026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Why Carter Casey may be the draft class' most dynamic athlete
Learn more about the Medicine Hat Tigers netminder's NHL potential.
Jun 17th, 17:042026 NHL DraftFilm Room: How Liam and Markus Ruck could become the NHL's next dynamic duo
Usually, at Elite Prospects, we avoid grouping prospects in a Film room, preferring to highlight individual talents and projections. But the Ruck twins are a special case, having developed and...
Jun 16th, 16:092026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Xavier Villeneuve could be the NHL's next elite undersized defenceman
Hadi Kalakeche breaks down the film on the 2026 NHL Draft's highest-upside defenceman.
Jun 16th, 14:452026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Why Oscar Hemming is one of the 2026 NHL Draft's best power forwards
How Oscar Hemming's roller coaster season could end in a top-20 selection at the NHL Draft.
Jun 15th, 15:092026 NHL DraftHow the final Elite Prospects 2026 NHL Draft ranking came together
Lead scout David St-Louis takes you behind how the final 2026 NHL Draft ranking was built.
Jun 15th, 14:002026 NHL DraftRe-entry goaltenders Carl Axelsson, Michal Oršulák set sights on the 2026 NHL Draft
The journey from Europe to North America for two potential re-entry netminders who could be picked at this year's NHL Draft.
Jun 12th, 15:552026 NHL DraftFilm Room: 'Unstoppable' Chase Reid is the 2026 NHL Draft's best defenceman
Here's why the Soo Greyhounds star is the best defenceman available for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Jun 12th, 14:002026 NHL DraftPeterborough, playing against Jágr, and darts: Adam Novotný's hockey journey
The Czech winger went from scoring alongside professionals at home to thriving in the OHL, proving he's ready for the next step.
Jun 11th, 15:402026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Daxon Rudolph could become the NHL's next great offensive defenceman
Why the Prince Albert Raiders defenceman is one of the most intriguing talents available for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Jun 10th, 15:012026 NHL DraftFilm Room: 'Mad scientist' Roberto Henriquez is a goalie worth betting on at NHL Draft
Why the re-entry netminder is one of the best and most intriguing talents available to NHL teams for the second year in a row.
Jun 8th, 16:372026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Why Caleb Malhotra is the 2026 NHL Draft's best, most complete centre
The OHL rookie's meteoric rise this season has been well documented; now, he's poised for a top-five selection at the draft.
Jun 6th, 14:092026 NHL DraftNHL Combine Notebook: How do prospects prepare for absurd interviews?
At the NHL combine interviews can border the absurd, as a player and agent, how do you prepare for it?
Jun 4th, 12:262026 NHL DraftCam's Consensus: The Final 2026 Scout Poll
Ten scouts from ten different NHL teams submitted their rankings to build Cam Robinson's consensus 2026 NHL Draft ranking.
Jun 2nd, 15:582026 NHL DraftTommy Bleyl's high-powered offence has him ready to realize NHL Draft dream
Russ Cohen shares an exclusive interview with Moncton Wildcats defenceman Tommy Bleyl on Elite Prospects.
May 27th, 15:512026 NHL DraftFilm Room: How Carson Carels could become a top-pairing defenceman in the NHL
Here's why the Cougars defenceman is one of the best blueliners available at the draft.
May 15th, 16:342026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Vladimir Proskurin's talents may make him the 2026 NHL Draft's hidden gem
Learn why the Russian netminder could be the steal of the 2026 NHL Draft – if he gets selected.
May 15th, 15:172026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Oliver Suvanto's physical skills, two-way maturity make him a high-certainty NHLer
Why the Finnish forward will be one of the first centres picked at the 2026 NHL Draft.
May 13th, 15:222026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Viggo Björck's hockey sense is worth betting on at the 2026 NHL Draft
Why the Swedish centre could become the next undersized forward to beat the odds in the NHL.
May 12th, 15:032026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Juho Piiparinen's well-roundedness makes him the most promising Finnish defenceman in years
Learn more about the Finnish defender's do-it-all game.
May 11th, 14:542026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Dmitri Borichev's physical gifts could make him an elite NHL goaltender
Could the Russian netminder be the first goaltender picked at the 2026 NHL Draft?
May 8th, 17:072026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Why Wyatt Cullen has entered top-ten pick conversations
The NTDP forward has quickly become the draft's most interesting player.
May 8th, 14:562026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Tobiáš Trejbal's well-rounded tools could make him an NHL starter
Learn what makes the 6-foot-4 netminder a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft.
May 7th, 17:402026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Alexander Command's special motor makes him a potential NHL play-driver
Behind the Swedish centre's fast rise during his NHL draft season.
May 7th, 04:492026 NHL Draft
Elite Prospects' post-lottery 2026 NHL mock draft
The 2026 NHL Draft lottery brought chaos and change. Here's how the top-half of the first round could play out in June.
May 5th, 21:382026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Why NHL teams will love Gleb Pugachyov's heavy physical game
Why the 6-foot-3 forward will be a coveted target at this year's NHL draft.
May 4th, 18:132026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Why Simas Ignatavičius will become Lithuania's third-ever NHL draft pick
The detailed, relentless 6-foot-3 forward has a game built for the playoffs.
May 4th, 17:07U.S. National U18 TeamAfter one gold medal in the last eight U18s, where does USA Hockey go now?
USA's dominance at the U18 World Championships appears to be over. What happens now?
May 1st, 12:142026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Jaxon Cover could go from 'roller hockey phenom' to top-six NHL forward
Jaxon Cover only made the full-time transition to ice hockey a few seasons ago, and now he looks poised for an NHL career.
Apr 29th, 15:542026 NHL DraftFilm Room: How Ryan Lin's refined defensive details will help him beat the odds in the NHL
Breaking down the Vancouver Giants defenceman's game and long term projection.
Apr 28th, 16:442026 NHL DraftFilm Room: How rookie Nikita Klepov won the OHL scoring title in his NHL draft year
The Saginaw Spirit forward burst onto the OHL scene and had a season to remember.
Apr 27th, 14:482026 NHL DraftFilm Room: Why Alberts Šmits will be a unique top-ten pick at the 2026 NHL Draft
Taking an unconventional path during his NHL draft year saw the Latvian emerge as one of the best defenders in the class.
