FCHockey

The 2026 NHL Draft run is in its infancy, but that’s not stopping Parker Snell of grabbing some early attention. Finding a goaltender in the 2026 draft will be a priority for most NHL teams, and Snell could fit the bill. Still, it’s still way too early to pick a top candidate in the 2026 class to fill that moniker, but keep an eye on Snell —who tends goal for Edmonton in the Western Hockey League.

Murnieks’ game is all about smarts and patience rather than speed or flash. His skating is a real weakness as he’s not fast, not overly agile, and his stride looks awkward and inefficient, but he does have good feet to open up and slow the game down to his pace. He’s got good vision and passing ability, especially on the rush where most of his assists come from. He likes to enter the zone wi...

Hakansson is a defensive defenseman with strong puck-moving upside and an incredibly high IQ in all three zones. He does all the little things right in all three zones. In the offensive end, he keeps plays moving. He does not necessarily quarterback the play from the point, nor does he push the pace a ton, but he rarely makes mistakes while getting pucks to open teammates or sending them down low ...

Novotny is a very straightforward, two-way forward. He is detail-oriented in all three zones, taking what’s given to him by the opposition and making the most out of simple opportunities. In the offensive end, he keeps things simple and moves the puck quickly. If he’s given space, he’ll take it and create something. If he is not given that space, he almost always makes the correct play to mo...

Chrenko is a slightly undersized, versatile two-way center with high hockey IQ and advanced puck skills. In all three zones, Chrenko shows his hockey sense. In the offensive and neutral zones, he displays very good two-way positioning, plays above the puck, keeps his feet moving, defends with good angles and shows a strong work ethic. In the defensive zone, he keeps his head on a swivel and mainta...

Bélanger is a small center with a very small frame and a short reach, which limits his overall impact, especially down the middle. His stickhandling is choppy, and he lacks the strength to consistently protect the puck or win battles at higher levels. While he shows some awareness of open space and has good passing vision, both his passes and his shots come off weak and lack bite. His decision-ma...

Dagenais is a sizeable center who moves exceptionally well for his size. He’s surprisingly quick, uses his feet effectively, and loves to push the pace, attacking the net with confidence. I see strong offensive instincts in his game, paired with good vision and awareness of where his teammates are. This complements his slick passing and stickhandling ability nicely, allowing him to make plays bo...

Steiner is a hard-working forward who plays bigger and tougher than his 5’10” frame suggests. He competes with a high level of intensity and isn’t afraid to throw his body, consistently engaging physically and battling for pucks in all areas of the ice. His best asset is without question his work ethic—he’s the type of player who is always involved, always pushing the pace, and willing t...

Karlsson is a speedy, competitive forward who plays a rather detailed game for a player of his age. His compete level, defensive responsibility, and overall ability to play a shutdown role a year prior to his draft year are very impressive and rather rare for draft-year-minus-one players. He lacks significant offensive upside, but his attention to detail, energy, and compete level on a shift-by-sh...

Kim is a defensively responsible, two-way center who plays a detailed but quiet game overall. He is strong and, despite average size, is effective in battles and often wins them even against bigger opponents, which is a promising sign for the future. He plays a simple game, relying on speed, tenacity, and the ability to contribute in all situations. In this game, Kim took advantage of a lesser opp...