NHL Draft Rankings Head-to-Head Top 32 Prospects

In this episode of The Draft Board Hockey Show, Linc and I do a head-to-head discussion of our final Top-32 NHL draft rankings for the 2026 class. We give reasons as to why we have certain prospects in each position and their strengths and weaknesses. Always a blast!

Hosts: Mark (NHL Draft Pros) and Linc (New Wave Hockey)

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to the draft board hockey show. My name is Mark. And as always, I'm joined by my co-host Link from New Wave Hockey. What's up?

SPEAKER_00 0:09

How are we doing? How are we doing, Mark? We're good, buddy.

SPEAKER_01 0:11

One week, one week and change away from the actual draft link. Oh man.

SPEAKER_00 0:16

I this is one of my favorite episodes of the year because we get to we get to go head to head. Uh, but I'm so excited for the draft. We will both be there in person.

SPEAKER_01 0:25

Hey, don't worry. Like I said, I'm gonna have the Caesar bar set up for you in our room. It's gonna be impeccable. It's gonna be delicious.

SPEAKER_00 0:31

It's gonna be a good time.

SPEAKER_01 0:32

You're gonna we're gonna have some fun. We got uh we gotta we got an itinerary set up for Friday all day long. Be prepared, Link. Be prepared. It's gonna be this episode. This episode, let's talk about what we're gonna discuss on this one. We are going head to head, draft rankings, top 32. Link, I'm our final. I'm interested to see where you've gone with this.

SPEAKER_00 0:56

I I I really think you and I have been honestly, this is the most agreement we've had in a year. I mean, last year, who you you and I have seen I you and I have seen eye to eye on a lot of guys actually this year. I will give us credit that we we've been more of a team than usual. Uh but next year, who I don't know. I don't know, Mark.

SPEAKER_01 1:14

You know what? Even the tail end of this draft, I think once we get past like 24, I think you and I are gonna have a little bit of disagreement, even though off camera once we get packed, once we get past like 12, you and I like go at it. So yeah, yeah, you know what? Listen, I I think like the top, yeah, the top like I'd say yeah, top 14 are pretty much locked in for me. They've been locked in almost all year for me. So okay, let's let's without further ado, without further ado. Okay, so I think we you know there's no surprise. We we've discussed this player as the first our first ranking, our number one ranking. We at it's it's it's inevitable. We know who we're both going with here. Very easy. Gabin McKenna. We've talked about this all year long, and we haven't changed one thread all year. So Gab McKenna, number one.

SPEAKER_00 2:06

What say you? I mean, it's no surprises. I mean, I want to keep this short because I want to get to the other guys. Uh, we have purposely not told each other who we have uh on our list because you know we want to keep it surprised. But again, this is the best player in the NHL draft. Uh, there are things that he does that there are the majority of NHL players don't do. I would say 99% of NHL players can't do, and he does it on a regular basis. And he's going to be for the Leafs, should they pick him first overall? And John Cheka would be a real big donkey if he didn't. Um, he would be on the first line, he would be on the first power play. He would be, I would think, uh, next year it'd be reasonable to expect him to get over 55 points next year um on that team. I think it's also not a stretch to say that they could be contending for the playoffs next year with this guy. This is your Mitch Marner replacement, uh, in any in almost every sense of the word. Um, obviously there are still some rough edges that he needs to kind of scratch out, but those will come with being a pro. Um, I have no doubts about Gavin McKenna. Let's go to the next guy.

SPEAKER_01 3:07

All right. So I think this is where we kind of might be different here, I think. Or no, I did you uh did you change your number two? I so I'm gonna tell you my number two, and I because I think that yours may have changed because I know it we've we've had this discussion, but my number two is Evar Stenberg. Link, give it to us. Who's your number two?

SPEAKER_00 3:28

Is he is it has it changed? No, my number two is not changed. It is still Caleb Malhotra uh at number two. Um, I think the upside there is a little bit hard for me to pass up in terms of just what a forward can be, what a center can be. Um, that's why I've I've I've gone for Malhotra. I know that he's gonna be playing in college next year. Um, I know Stenberg is gonna be playing uh in the NHL next year. It's a bit tough of a it's a bit tough of a leap to take, but I I feel very confident in what I've seen with Malhotra. Um, this kid is just so skilled at the wazoo. And the thing is, like it there is room to grow in the offensive game, in the skating, in the transition game, and uh seeing all of that and then seeing how good of a defender this guy is, I had no choice. Um I I think that there's a ceiling there that we can't even fathom yet. And I just saw that he had a higher upside than a guy like Ivar Stenberg. Um, all love and all respect to Stenberg. I think he's a phenomenal player, and he's I mean, I'm not gonna not gonna sugarcoat a guy. He's my number three, so he only moves down one. Uh, we are seeing one of the greatest Swedish uh seasons we've ever seen before. He is an incredible playmaker, he's an incredible play driver. I think he's gonna be a great winger, and I think that there is a serious conversation uh for who to pick at number two uh if he gets past number one, because I I there's still a discussion now uh who's gonna go one. But it this was very tough for me. But and I still think it's very close, but I'm leaning Malholtra, and I know you've been leaning Stenberg.

SPEAKER_01 4:58

So yeah, I mean, you know what? Listen, I I'll give Malholtra as kudos. This year he definitely popped off and he definitely has grown as a player all year long. He just got better and better. And that, you know, in the playoffs, he displayed that he led the team, the Brantford Bulldogs, in points, uh, you know, as a draft eligible player on a pretty stacked team. So yeah, you gotta give them the props. I mean, but for me, Stenberg's doing it against men, and then the world championships kind of confirmed it for me. That kind of solidified it. I was like, yeah, this is still my number two, and it hasn't changed. So I'm gonna I I you know you can't go wrong with either two, to be honest with you.

SPEAKER_00 5:38

I well, I think I will say I'm taking a big risk. Obviously, Stenberg's been doing it against men, and he's been doing it against men even since last year. I got the privilege of seeing Ivar Stenberg in March of 2025, and even then, I was like, this kid is really, really mature. He is a very, very smart kid. However, this is not a game of who's better right now, it's a game of who's better in the next five years, in the next 10 years. And I just see it with Malhotra. And uh look, this could be a learning experience for me. I could be wrong, and people will be using this clip and be like, you had Malhotra over Stenberg. And but uh, I I'm willing to learn, I'm willing to be wrong with this one. And it's not like I have Stenberg outside of my top three. Like, come on, yeah, let's let's get to let's get to number three now.

SPEAKER_01 6:23

So, I mean, so then we just flip-flop because I got Caleb Malholtra at number three, and you got Ivar Stenberg at number three. So, I mean, there you know, we just talked about both of them, and uh, so it was just a flip-flop. Now, so let's move on to number four. Who is your number four linker?

SPEAKER_00 6:37

Well, my number four, and I'm thinking your number four is also who we think the best defenseman in this class is gonna be, and that's gonna be Mr. Chase Reed. Oh, right at the end of the day. I will say, I will say, um he's been really close to going even higher for me at this point. Um, not to not to but like again, Stenberg's massive season obviously kept him down, but it it's it's crazy to think when you have a guy that you think is a caliber of a first uh a potential for first defenseman, a guy who's a true number one, um you really think highly of him. And I do, with with Chase Reed and then uh another defenseman who we'll talk about at pick five. I don't know if you you better have this guy at pick five as well, but um Reed is a phenomenal player, uh, one of the best shots in this draft, one of the best skating abilities in this draft. Um he he just exudes Zach Worensky like swagger. Um I honestly looking at what he did this year and especially at the World Juniors, I think he totally could have played with Michigan State this year. Um he's gonna dominate for them next year, uh, barring or whether or not if he plays uh NHL games next year, which he could. Um I'm always an advocate of if you can go to college, go to college. So he probably will be at Michigan State next year, but who knows? We'll see what happens. And uh, I'm very excited to see what he will bring to the NHL level. Again, him and Malhotra, it's it's it's crazy. They they they have done so much in the OHL this year on their connected to college, and it's like they're only gonna get better. It's it's I'm really, really excited with that. But again, why was Reed uh at a clear choice for you at the first defense man?

SPEAKER_01 8:17

You know what? I mean, like, I I've watched them a lot in the last two years, so I've had you know have the privilege of watching them live. And when you see these little details that sometimes you kind of miss on tape, you know, live viewings are so much different than than on tape. Like, I don't care what anybody says, but when you're live, just like I have a soft spot for Keaton Virhoff because I saw him live this year and I and I saw things in him that I was like, man, this kid is smart, uh, smarter than we give him. And you know, internationally he kind of struggled, but there were certain games in the NCAA where he looked really good, and you gotta remember he's playing against 20 plus year old uh men basically. And so uh yeah, we'll get to him, we'll get to him. We'll get to him. But but but like Chase Reed, he's just so confident with the puck on his stick, and and the other thing is that defensively he got a lot better this year than he did from last year, and that's that's the kind of thing that you like to see. You like to see that kids don't plateau, and I'll talk about a couple kids that plateaued, I thought, this year, but he evolved, and that's exactly what you want to see. So that's why I got Chase Reed at number four, number five. I'll let you go first here because I I think we're both the same on this one, too. I think. I hope so.

SPEAKER_00 9:24

Yeah, I've got Carson Carl.

SPEAKER_01 9:25

Is he out of the dub?

SPEAKER_00 9:27

Yeah, yeah, I got Carson Carls at five here.

SPEAKER_01 9:30

I me too.

SPEAKER_00 9:31

Yeah, um, it it kind of pains me to have him just at five uh because he's a phenomenal player and he's someone that I've been wanting to rank up higher for a long time. And some people have even taken the liberty of putting him higher. This guy is incredibly physical on defense. He is a great defender, but this year he took offensive steps that made him just inarguably one of the best defensemen in the in this entire draft class. I love the confidence and uh swagger that he exuded uh all throughout the year. Um again, he got overshadowed at the world juniors, unfairly so by Chase Reed and Keaton Verhoff when I thought he was one of the one of, if not the best defensemen that Canada had at the World Juniors. It was a close discussion for me. And then Chase Reed, obviously, he took the mantle for the USA. But Carson Carl, when he after the break was so phenomenal. He hit 20 goals, he doubled his point mark, and then he was really, really solid in the playoffs. And then point production aside, one thing that I've always loved about Carson Carls is that you watch tape, his torso is always, always face towards the play, whether he's defending, whether he's looking for a pass, whether he is the one delivering the pass. He is he is very balanced, and that is gonna carry him very far. You do not need to teach this kid any skating. Um, all you need to do is just kind of mold more pro habits into his game, and he's already got so many. I'm a very big fan of Carol's. Um, there was a certain point where I knew he was not gonna leave my top five, and I'm glad that he's staying here.

SPEAKER_01 11:03

I mean, yeah, listen, what's not to love about his game and the physicality that he brings to he is just like you said, the the point production actually it was something that you'd like to see in his development, and he did it. And as you said at World Juniors, you were actually there live. You saw him, but even on tape, I or watching him on TV, I was like, Man, this kid is actually holding his own, him and Veraff playing together, and you can see that he didn't look out of place, so that's exactly what you want to see in a defender. And uh, and he's a young, young defender, June birth date, I think it is.

SPEAKER_00 11:34

And so, yeah, no, him, him, and him and uh Vera Hoff are like two days apart. It's crazy.

SPEAKER_01 11:39

You know what? That's it's it's beautiful. All right, let's move on. Number six.

SPEAKER_00 11:43

This is where we might differ a little bit here. This is where we might just yeah, this is where we might disagree. At number six, I have Albert Smeets uh from a couple places.

SPEAKER_01 11:54

I yeah, that's you're you're Albert Schmeets, and I am gonna go Keaton Vierhoff. I I gotta put Keaton Vierhoff here.

SPEAKER_00 12:00

I understand. You're all good. You don't have to apologize to me. Um, yeah, I mean, look, you've been dying to talk about him. Uh, why do you have Virhoff six?

SPEAKER_01 12:09

So, you know, Vierhoff, like I said, the there's he gets a bad rap for not showing up internationally and at certain and even you know into the NCAA playoffs and whatnot. But I just think that there's still some development room for him, and I think that he's got the physical tools and the traits. Like we the knock on him sometimes is a skating, but I have seen him in certain situations where he's slippery, he gets out of trouble just because of certain cuts and some you know agility. Uh I think that there's a next level to to gain, and I think that he's he's just gonna be a little bit more on a longer development path. But I think that man, this is a kid that could be like really like I've I've likened him to Aaron Eckblad. And no, he's not gonna pop off offensively, but he's got a heavy shot, he's uh kind of slows the play down a little bit. He he just rushes things at times, and I think that but like the transition and the breakouts are great when he's got pressure on him, there's times when he does really well, and there's times that he doesn't. I just think he's just gotta be more consistent. But I think that the the you know, the um base of the pyramid is there. You just gotta kind of refine the top part of it.

SPEAKER_00 13:10

I I've I've told people from the start, uh, people are overthinking Keaton Berhoff too, too much. Um, I I don't have him far off. I'll explain why I have him where I have him eventually, but I'll talk about Albert Smeets right now because I believe he deserves it. Flowers people also, another player that people are just I think overthinking. This is arguably one of the most powerful skaters in the draft. I think Albert Smeets could play in an NHL top six or an NHL like uh uh defensive pairing tomorrow. And he'd be fine. He is physically mature enough to play in the game. He is a bit of a wild man uh and he likes to run, but defensively on rushes, he's very solid and he's gotten better in his own zone throughout the year. He is one of the best players at retrievals in this entire draft. Uh and this is just sort of a situation where I just kind of look at what he has, what the product is right now. And I know I usually go with upside, but I see a guy who can play in the NHL and really only needs uh pro development from now on. And I see a guy that I absolutely would love to bet on. If he falls past, I think, the eighth or ninth pick, I totally would send a package to trade to trade up for this guy. I would. I totally would. Because there, because you're not gonna find players like this every single day. Seriously. People who are this physically dominant and also this fast and possess as good of a shot as he does. Obviously, the offensive game is in question, um, but I think that's the same for a lot of other defensemen that are behind him as well. Um, there's nothing that that Albert Smeets has that other players don't have. So I that's why I have him here. Um, and I think we'll talk about we'll we'll revise I'll revise my my Keaton Verhoff take when we get to him, but uh let's let's move on to seven.

SPEAKER_01 14:57

All right, so you know what? I'll uh I'll go first for my next one. So okay, I got Keaton Verhoff, and I'm gonna go with um Vigo Bjork. I just I listen, I get the love for Albert Smith, and I got him after Vigo. So I'll just I'll just preface that by saying that I got you. We have the same top eight players because I've got Vigo seven too. Okay, so let's go put that up. So yeah, you know what? Listen, uh I and the reason why I got uh we got we both got Vigo Bjork here, which is awesome. Uh, and so phenomenal player. What's not the love one? And I don't care if he's 5'9, he came back from the combine, he's 5'9, 180 pounds. He is just that player that checks off all the boxes, and if he was six foot two, we wouldn't even be talking about him in the bottom six, we'd be talking to him top three, maybe you know what I mean. So, and the thing is that with Vigo Bjork, he can play center or the wing. Uh, at the NHL level, he might be best suited for the wing. I don't care. He's awesome, he's just I just love everything about his game.

SPEAKER_00 15:55

How do you not watch uh what happened in the Stanley Cup finals and not love a guy like Vigo Bjork? There are tons of small guys in the NHL who are becoming integral role players to championship winning teams. Logan Stankhoven, Jackson Blake, and the next one is going to be Vigo Bjork. And I think Vigo Bjork has the potential to be better than all of them. He is incredibly smart, one of the smartest I think I've ever seen, something that really just overshadows other traits around him. He's a true jack of all trades, master of none, because there's not something that really stands out to me as game-breaking, other than his IQ and motor. But the combination of all these good traits really makes him a separator at the next level. He can beat you in so many ways that it truly just becomes a discussion of what can't he do. I don't see how he doesn't go top 10. If he doesn't go top 10, Mark, you will hear me from the box seats that McKean has will hopefully have me in. Uh I will be frustrated because this kid is a this kid is really phenomenal. Um, it is so rare that see that people who have lists that people take seriously have a guy who's sub 5'10, let alone sub-six foot, in there. But we do with Vigo, and I I I don't think there's a there, I don't think there's a person in this industry who doesn't love him. Uh, he's a phenomenal player, phenomenal human too. So let's let's keep it going. And I obviously we've kind of revealed it too. We are we've we flipped six and eight for us as well. I have Keaton Verhoff at uh number eight, and it's purely an upside play, too. I I've seen this guy, I've defended him. Uh I think people overthink him as well. Um, he's a really great player, and I think the offensive upside, it's it is there. I don't think it's as strong as people once thought, but he's gonna have a phenomenal year at North Dakota next year. He's gonna get better at his skating. It's not gonna be a hallmark of his game, but he's going to be a player who really exudes confidence the next level with his offensive game, and that's what you're getting him for. He is six foot four and he is doing things that not a lot of six foot four defensemen can do. And look at this shot. Obviously, this is a pro-level shot. Um, and he's gonna be going back to North Dakota again. But when he turns 20 and he is, or when he, I guess, when he turns 19 and he's going to be an NHL player, because I think he only really needs one more year of development. That shot on the power play mark, geez. Come on, you need that. Good lord.

SPEAKER_01 18:21

It's the hardest thing to do in the in hockey, score goals, and he can he can do that from the point, run a power play, but you know what? Uh, so Albert Schmitz for me. Um, I'm still kind of you know debating the offensive upside. That that's my only contention with him. Defensively, the skating, all that fun stuff is really good. Like I said, he showed it at the at the Olympics, he showed it at the world championships. He can hang with the big boys now. In terms of mock drafts, I may have him higher, uh, just because of he's got a you know, he's kind of closer to NHL ready. However, um, yeah, I just I think that I think there's still another level to attain with Keaton Verhoff, and that's why I got him ahead of Albert Schmidt's. All right, moving on to number nine. What do what say you there, Link? I'll let you go uh first.

SPEAKER_00 19:08

I've got the American boy, uh, the American phenom Wyatt Cullen. Love this kid, can't get enough of him.

SPEAKER_01 19:16

So, yeah, you know what, Link? Guess what? I got Mr. White Cullen in at uh the same spot. We're we this is too uncanny. This is not this is not interesting, Link for our viewers. This isn't like us, Mark. This is this is boring. Everyone's gonna be like, you guys are all picking the same players. All right, talk about Mr. White Cullen.

SPEAKER_00 19:34

Well, I when I see him, I see another James Haggins, a little bit of a slower James Haggins, a little bit of a less dynamic in terms of uh his sort of speed and and and his passing skills and sort of defensive ability. But this is a guy who really is just all offense all the time. He is a potentially another Logan Cooley, another guy who can fit into a top six and really play a dominant offensive game and be relentless in the offensive zone. He's a play driver, and he's gonna be playing that from the wing. That is something you will love on your second or potentially even first line. I I really think this guy is a guy you have to take top 10. If he falls, he's another guy I am I am moving a boat to try and uh to try to get to try to get up and and and draft uh him because he's a great player. Uh, but yeah, like look, enough said about him at number nine. I think the contention will start to start at 10. So we'll we'll get it.

SPEAKER_01 20:29

But you know what, listen, Colin, he he's he's got that swagger, he he will attack players one-on-one, and he's not afraid to and I, you know, listen, I I I like confidence in in a player like that, but the thing is is that he does have the skill set and the hands to do it. So when if if he can just you know fix some of those little nuances in his game, and you know, uh, and we'll talk about that, but yeah, he he's just a great player. I love watching him play, and the things that he did this year, the highlights they speak for themselves. So, all right, they really do number 10 link.

SPEAKER_00 21:00

I guarantee you do not have an agreement with this guy at number 10, but I've said it all year, I really, really like this guy, and I really think that he is way, way better than people are giving him credit for. Give me Elton Hermanson at number 10. I love this kid.

SPEAKER_01 21:16

I knew I oh my god, yeah. I as soon as you said giving him credit for I I knew you'd have that. Okay, so I'm gonna go with uh Ethan Belchez. He he's sticking with his boy, Elton Hermanson, and I go Ethan Belchez, my boy from Mine at Neck of the Woods. So, okay, okay, listen. Elevator pitch. What is uh what's Elton Hermanson doing at number 10? Give us, talk to us.

SPEAKER_00 21:38

Maybe it's just the year of the Swedes, but this is yet another winger who brings incredible offensive IQ. I think he's incredibly smart. He brings an incredible pro level shot, but more than that, the offensive zone maturity and playmaking ability is something that is an added level of depth to his game that gives him a top six projection and a very strong one at that. I think is. Motor is also something that really is making him a very strong candidate to go in the top 15 and maybe even the top 10, who knows? Uh, and I think he's being undervalued. I really do. He's got great skating, he's solid enough defensively. I see this as a really well-rounded, two-way-ish kind of player, but if anything, he's more of a playmaker or a sniper. He fits into a lot of boxes, and I bet on a guy who really can go in any direction. I think he really is going to surprise a lot of people with a with the year, maybe in the SHL, maybe over in the AHL. He's a very impressive kid. I think people really need to start recognizing him as such. Love Elton Hermanson, but I like Ethan Belchez too. Let's let's let's let's hear it. Let's hear this some love for EB, eh?

SPEAKER_01 22:42

Yeah, I mean, listen, six foot five, 230 pounds, and I think that there's still uh a surface to be scratched, as they say. He he kind of, you know, I would have hoped for a little bit more offensive output this year. He was only averaging a point a game, but he did, you know, have a couple of underlying injuries. Uh, like I said, I know the Billet family, and so there was some underlying stuff that was kind of hampering him. However, and then he obviously sustained the uh broken clavicle, got that surgically repaired, looked good at the combine. Um, but yeah, he's got soft hands, he's a big kid. NHL, they love, you know, six foot five, 230 pounds. He's a decent skater, he's got a soft touch in front of the net. Like, give me that all day long. All right, number 11.

SPEAKER_00 23:27

Number 11, yes. Uh, I have Ethan Valchez. Just one more pick later. Look, uh you you can't beat the skill set that he has to get to the net. Um, just a phenomenal player with all the reasons you said, six foot five. Uh, and yeah, I mean, like, I I wish I wish he would get to the middle of the ice a little bit more often. Uh, then my earlier year projection of him as a top four player would look better, but you he's phenomenal. Can't can't complain with him.

SPEAKER_01 23:53

Yeah, so I'm I'm gonna go uh I'm gonna go Daxon Rudolph here.

SPEAKER_00 23:57

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 23:58

Another player that popped off offensively and you know, big mobile right shot D. I'm kind of my rankings go based on um, you know, a little bit of NHL need and what they like, and also uh just you know overall hockey stuff. But yeah, I mean this is a this is a kid that had a great playoffs too for Prince Albert this year. And so I think that this he sometimes he's a little bit lazy on the ice, just kind of seems unenthused when he's out there. Uh again, uh you know, going to NCAA route, they're gonna fix those little negative tendencies and and hopefully pans out in the positive. But uh, so we got you had Ethan Belchez, I got Daxon Rudolph uh number 12. What do you have? Say you there, Link.

SPEAKER_00 24:44

I uh it's like we're going in order because I got Daxon Rudolph at 12. Uh I will not lie, the Denver, the Denver uh university commit did kind of help his case a little bit, bumped him up maybe one or two spots. But this is a guy that I was pretty concerned about in turn in terms of a few things, and that's again his his motor and his pace. Uh this kid has a great number of offensive chops. I think he's now measured at six foot three as a right-hand shot. That's crazy. That's crazy for the skill set that he brings. But did he always play like it? He never really used his body, he never really did all these things. He showed me a very WHL level skill set, but I know David Carl is going to fix all that when he goes to Denver. Uh, I'm a little bit more safe in my projection now. I don't think he's gonna be a true top-of-the-line D-man, but you'll take a middle six guy who can score any day of the week. So that's why I like him at 12.

SPEAKER_01 25:37

Well, I'm gonna go with Tynan Lawrence at 12. I'm still sticking with my boy Tynan Lawrence. I still like Tynan Lawrence. I know you don't, and I still think that there is some room to grow for Mr. Tynan Lawrence. Let's see where yeah. So, you know, like I offensively, I would have liked to seen a little bit of more increase in production. However, uh, I think that it may come, it may come. Um, he's gonna need some.

SPEAKER_00 26:02

I was there for that goal.

SPEAKER_01 26:03

Oh, I is that the Providence one? Yeah, nice.

SPEAKER_00 26:06

I was there for that goal. Um, no, yeah, he I'll talk about him in detail. Yeah, talk about okay.

SPEAKER_01 26:10

So uh what's uh next? What will we what number are we at here?

SPEAKER_00 26:12

Next, next we have 13, and at 13, I have uh a guy that I agonized over. I really wanted to put him higher, but uh Malte Gustavison. I've always really liked it.

SPEAKER_01 26:21

That's why I got a 13, too. There you go.

SPEAKER_00 26:23

Look at that. We are we're we're back on the back in the expensive.

SPEAKER_01 26:27

We're back on the same page here. All right, Malte Gustison, he is both at number 13 for us. Fantastic.

SPEAKER_00 26:33

Yeah, great skater, great skater for his size. Great skater, huge size. Uh, this is a guy that I think easily projects in like a Philip uh Broberg role. I mean, we we use that word a lot. I think someone said it earlier. I'm sorry if I'm not giving credit to where credit is due, but if you have a solid enough player who can play good enough offense at the blue line, be a supporting role, but also just be such a good support player in transition, but a great defender as well, that's a guy that I'm taking every single day. Plus, he's fast and he has so much room to grow. I think there's another level that he can achieve playing at the pro level in Sweden. I don't think he's going to be as as high as other players in this draft, especially the defenseman. But look, I mean, we both like him for a reason. He's a really strong guy. And I look, I brought you in on him. I really did. I whittled you down. I really did. All right. Next, 14. No, you're all good. 14. I got uh Oliver Suvanto from the finish league. Look, I dropped him down from my top 10, but I still love the player. I I really think uh you you look at a solid center like him, you look at a guy you can't knock off the puck, you look at someone who is one of the young, one of the youngest, almost the youngest player in this entire draft class. He's a week away from being eligible for next year. This guy exhibits pro habits, he can't get knocked off the puck. I think the offense is coming with his game. And at worst, I think this is a guy who becomes a Charlie Coyle light. Uh love him at 14.

SPEAKER_01 28:02

Well, guess what, Link? I got Suvanto at 14 too, my friend. That's a good pick. Hey, listen, safe pick. I think that this kid has all those pro habits traits that you want to see in someone. And and you know, once, and like you said, so young, so young. Like he's basically a 2027 draft eligible player. Let's phenomenal. And yeah, it's displayed well internationally, too. So, yeah, Suvanto, can't go wrong with that. All right, 15. Let's talk, let's talk. 15. Where are you going with yours?

SPEAKER_00 28:30

I'm going with another Finn and one that played over here in America. Give me Oscar Hemming the bull. I did the same. I did the same. Let's oh my gosh, Mark, come on now. I of course, this guy came over and he was just phenomenal for uh the Boston College when he came in. He's tapered off a little bit, and obviously you want a little bit more scoring from him, but the physicality that he exudes is something you do not find every day, especially at six foot four, especially with the motor that he has, and especially at the age that he is. He, I think he's he's another kid who's gonna turn 18 over the summer, and he's gonna be 18 for the entire year next year, um, playing over there with some big boys like Dean Latorno and others. This guy, he look, he exudes confidence with the puck. He exudes confidence when others are the puck and he wants to just run them over. It's an easy pick for me. He's easily my top 16.

SPEAKER_01 29:24

Perfect. All right. Yeah, I mean, yeah, you covered it pretty well. He's just a he's he's a bull on the ice, and he's another very young one. August birthday, right? I think. I think so, yeah. Yeah, he's an August. So yeah, so again, and you know, when you have that when you have that development path that you can still, you know, go on. I think that the he's he's just he's got some you know little things that need to be fixed, but uh yeah, you know, you can't go wrong with that, and he's a big kid too. So all right, Oscar Hemming. What's uh next? What what number are we at here?

SPEAKER_00 29:56

Number number 16 is is what's next.

SPEAKER_01 29:58

Oh, this is where I want to see. Did you even put Lawrence in here yet?

SPEAKER_00 30:02

Uh no, I actually have two centers ahead of him, and one of them is Ilya Murazov, and he's my pick at number 16. I can't get enough of this kid. He was kind of a he was kind of an unknown going into this year. He had if he he had he had a mid-season, I think he had put up 22 points for Tri-City last year. Um, he exudes some confidence, but then he goes over to Miami with the right strength training. He was the youngest player in college this entire year, and he put up some pretty impressive numbers. He was the top line center for Miami this year. Uh, he was the he was the secondary support player to a guy named Kohat Dielek, but he was right there. He had some pretty impressive games. I think his defensive game is really his defensive impact in his defensive game is going to be really coveted at the next level. This is a guy who may only top out as a third line, maybe second line center, but I see the offense and I think it's coming. I think he could be a second line center at the next level if everything breaks right. And you're getting a guy who I think the day he comes over to the NHL, if it's the day he turns 20, if it's the day he turns 21, if it's the day he turns 19, he will be on a top penalty kill at that level. I really like him. I think his skating is very underrated. I think people think it's don't give it enough credit for what it is, but this is an exciting player. I really do like Murazov.

SPEAKER_01 31:22

All right, my number 16 is Elton Hermanson. So I finally got him in there.

SPEAKER_00 31:26

So you can go ahead and finally Jesus.

SPEAKER_01 31:31

There you go. So okay, so there we go. Our top 16. Uh, there's there's there's a couple of little differences there. We're where you're a bit higher on Hermanson and I'm a bit higher on Lawrence. Um, so yeah, all right, let's uh let's move on to uh number 17 then.

SPEAKER_00 31:49

All right, and my number 17 is a little bit uh controversial. I've shared this opinion and I didn't realize how controversial of an opinion it was, but number 17, I have Maddox Dajne. I I just see the skill set that this kid exudes, and I'm like, I have to take him at this point. Whether that he whether he's going to be a wing or a center, I see an NHL player with an NHL skill set here. When you get into the offensive zone, even at the zone entry and the rush level, this kid is phenomenal. Six foot four. He knows how to get around defenders, he can use his stick, he can use other players to pass to. He can use his physical prowess with his reverse hitting, which I think is the best in this draft, to get to the net. Obviously, I would have hoped for better production this year, but he's going to be going back to Quebec this year. I think he's going to be playing uh at a very high level uh at Quebec next year. Hopefully he commits to college. I I do I do think very highly of uh Maddox Dajnay. Uh and yes, there are some questions, but I think upside at this uh at this point, I'm I'm gonna go with it. I I see what he can become, and I I I want to let it happen.

SPEAKER_01 32:54

Yeah, I gotta remember he's a he's a first overall pick in the queue, right? So he definitely has um some pedigree, I guess you could say. All right, so at number 17, I'm gonna go with uh Nikita Klepov. And again, this might be um you know my biases to because I'm here in watch the OHL a lot, but I I just you know 97 points, led the OHL in scoring, and I think that you know he he's he's sneaky, good uh defensively and offensively. He like there's there's some obviously there's some things that need to be fixed, but he's uh he's got a little bit of pace to his game, he's not afraid to attack the middle of the ice, he's good along the wall. And when you get 97 points uh as a draft eligible player in the O on a team that's kind of in a rebuild, so you know that you gotta give him his uh his props, and uh that's why I got him at number 17, Nikita Klepov.

SPEAKER_00 33:44

18 18 is where I finally have Tynan Lawrence from BU. Oh, yeah, boom me all you want, boom me all you want. I went into my viewing with him in Providence with a lot of expectation. I had just taken him to the brink of my top 10. I was still believing in the upside. I saw the Clark Cup playoffs and I was like, okay, I see what this kid can become. And then I saw him in person, I was like, okay, I need to rethink about how I need to rethink how I think about this kid. Because he does certain things very, very well. Obviously, he's an excellent face-off taker, probably one of the best in this entire draft, good, good skater, good motor. But I really, really question, I really, really question the offensive awareness. Uh, there are some things that he really needed to do, and he didn't succeed with guys like Cole Hudson, Cole Eiserman, Sasha Guaver, Jack Murtag. There was a very loaded team at Boston University, and he was looked at to become a very integral part. And yes, that is a little bit unfair to expect a kid who's 17 to jump in and do that. But when people pitched Tyan Lawrence to me, and when people were pitching his thing, they promised that offensive upside was the deal there. And that's kind of where I kind of draw. I've I think we need to reassess what he is exactly. And I think he is going to be a pretty solid two-way player in a middle bottom six role. And that's something that yes, he may have a safer projection because uh to become that, but it it's very safe to rethink what he is as a prospect. That's why I brought him back down to 18 for me. I know you have a little bit more hope in his offensive upside, but that's kind of why I've got him back here.

SPEAKER_01 35:24

Yeah, I think it's fair enough. Uh for me, 18 is gonna be Ryan Lynn. Just because uh, you know, I I think that he's probably the in terms of defense, he might be one of the better all-round defensemen. The size is hurting him. 5'11. He's a right shot D though. Uh he's not a burner, but he's got good edge work. And I think that a few years of development, you know, learn how to use his body to his maybe if he gets a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger. I think that maybe if he can get a little bit of that into his game, then this could be a nice find for any team who's willing to take him. I draft wise, he's gonna be.

SPEAKER_00 35:58

I'll reserve my thoughts, yeah. What's my thoughts until I get to him?

SPEAKER_01 36:02

Okay, all right. So what do we got here? We got uh Tynan Lawrence, Ryan Lynn. All right, 19.

SPEAKER_00 36:09

19. I have JP Herlbert from Cam Luth Blazers. I love this kid. I've always been a big fan of him. Uh, he's somebody where the offensive profile with the eye test doesn't always exactly stand out to you. This kid's this kid isn't the best skater, this kid isn't the best stick handler, he isn't even the best passer. But the IQ is phenomenal. The way that he attacks defensemen and attacks goalies is so calculated, so precise. It really has given me a just new perspective on how to evaluate guys like this. And he's going to Michigan, I think he's going to thrive in that environment. He's going to be a type of player that they haven't seen in a minute. Plus, he brings a motor that not a lot of forwards have over there or have had. It's one of the reasons why they didn't uh go to the national championship game this year. Um, I think he's going to bring that element of edge that they've really needed. And I'm a big fan of Hurlbert. I think he can play on the wing. He can also play on the center. He played a lot of minutes at center this year. And no, I think I think this is a player who absolutely deserves some top 20 praise. So I don't know who you have at 19, but we'll we'll figure it out.

SPEAKER_01 37:19

Yeah, I'm gonna well I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go on a little run of D here. So and and smaller D, and that's fine. Um, I I gotta go with my boy Xavier Villeneuve. That is my next one. Um, all right. Zav, I mean, I don't care. The the the magic man, like I I've talked, I just had a did a video on him, and I said that you know he's got that shake and bake, and it is actually him that swings his stick a lot when it comes to uh defensively. Uh, but yeah, the kid's probably 150 pounds soaking wet, so I want a little bit more. You know, he's got to beef up, obviously. But the way that he patrols the ice and the way that the edge work and the and the stick handling and stuff like that, you can't teach that. And if he can just get better defensively and and use his body and get bigger, he's gotta get bigger, he's gotta get bigger. I think he's got a little bit of a mean streak, not mean streak, but he he's French Canadians, they they're a little crazy in the head, and uh, and I love it. And so I'm I'm just thinking that he just needs to yeah, bulk up a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 38:17

I I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with where he lands on my list, but he's not here yet. So we'll we'll we'll get to him when we get to him. But now let's close up the top 20. Uh I'll I'll let you go first with with your pick at 20.

SPEAKER_01 38:29

Well, so my pick at 20. I told you I'm going on a run of D's here, and I'm gonna go Tommy Blyle from the queue. Right shot D. Yeah, again, another D. I'm going based on skill set here. I'm going this is I'm all about skill set, and Tommy Blyle is another one that dangles around the ice and his skating just smooth, smooth like silk. Tommy Bile can skate. And again, you know what? Top rookie D in the queue this year, popped off point-wise, 83 points or 81 points in 67 games. So you you gotta, you know, had like the most assist in the entire queue as a defenseman playing in Moncton looked really good, solid. I yeah, that's that's my boy at 20. I'm going, I'm going skill set here.

SPEAKER_00 39:14

Not a bad pick here at 20. I'm gonna go with Adam Novotny from the Peter Broke.

SPEAKER_01 39:18

You're going, you're going like you're going like NHL mock draft, like you're going the actual draft NHL play. Like, come on, come on. Mark company that Xavier Mil Villeneuve and Tommy Blau don't have a better skill set than Adam Novotny.

SPEAKER_00 39:33

Mark, you know how much I've pumped the Novotney tires this year. I don't want to hear that from you. You know how much I love this kid. You know how respectful he was to me at the combine. But it but it but it's not just that. I think the skill set, uh, the full skill set, the full complete skill set um just works better in an NHL uh environment in terms of what he he can bring to it to a team. I think that Adam Novotny is exactly what you're looking for in a middle six forward. Uh great defensively, uses his body really well, a guy who can shut down plays effectively. We saw that at the World Juniors. Um, even though he kind of sacrifices his offense a bit, I think that he could have contributed more with the stick handling and the skating that he power that he has. But I think those will come in time. Um he is likely going to be staying in the OHL for next year. Um I don't know if he's a guy who commits to college, but if he does, who? That would be huge. That would be very big on the on the link uh on the link liking scale. But Novotny has done enough for me where I have to put him top 20. I've put him back too much. There are guys that have done things that have impressed me more, but in terms of what Novotny is and what skill set he brings, and kind of just out of respect, because I've really been a been a fan of him all year, I have to put him top 20 for me. So you can critique me all you want, but I like him. I'll I'll talk about Novotny when we get to him.

SPEAKER_01 40:52

He's he's getting close. He's getting close in my ring. Not yet, though.

SPEAKER_00 40:55

21. All right. 21. This is where I have Nikita Klepov from the Saginaw spirit. I like this kid. I really do. Uh he's a USHL kid last year, uh, was pretty impressive, then took a massive step uh for Saginaw this year. Um, obviously, I I should have known better because in at the Hlinka Gretzky, he was awesome for the United States. Um, this kid is very impressive in general in terms of what he did, but I still think that there's a longer development path than people uh really say here. Um, I think he might struggle out the gate with Michigan State. Um, I don't think he has a B game uh as developed as others players is yet. And I don't think he's dynamic outside of the offensive zone, but there's a lot to learn there. Obviously, the potential's all there, and uh I like him there. I like I like him at 21. Right?

SPEAKER_01 41:41

All right, so at 21 I got Alexander command. I mean, yeah, this this is another kid that just you know, nice goal score. He he's got times when I watch him just want to pull my hair out and be like, oh come on, give me more, you know what I mean? But then there's times when I'm like, oh, he's got the magic touch. Uh so it's it's one of those things where I get I get tough, and then I got 22. I got Dajnay. We talked, you already had Dajnay. Were you was he top 16 for you?

SPEAKER_00 42:04

Top yeah, he was talking, he was he was no, he was at 17 for me, but he was 17. Okay, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 42:09

So Dajnay, another player where he actually, you know, started to he started to look what we expect from a first overall pick in the queue as the season progressed. And you know, the the big thing with him is the reverse hits. Everyone's talked about the reverse hits. Um, but yeah, I think that you know he I think that when you're six foot four, is he six foot four or something like that? He's six four. Oh, yeah. Yeah, six four, and he's you know, sometimes they take a little bit longer for the their you know to grow into their body, as they would say.

SPEAKER_00 42:38

At 22, I I've got a Q player as well. I've got a Xavier Villeneuve. Oh, this is a player. This is a player where I the respect has to come at some point. You see the skill sets and the production of a guy like Lane Hudson, and you have to just look at this guy and be like, you know what? He can become that that next guy. Obviously, everyone's been talking about the maturity level. Uh there's there's some times where he looks like a complete idiot, but you can say the same thing about the Hudson twins. This or twins, brothers, my bad. I'm not losing my mind here, but uh no, but uh Villeneuve, what he can do on the ice with his skating, with his hands, it's unlike any other player really in this draft outside of a guy like McKenna. He is that talented, he has that much uh he has that much of a ceiling on him. And if a player uses him in the right role, if a team uses him in the right role, look out. That's your number one power play quarterback, that's your Lane Hudson. But he's got to do some work to get there. We'll see what happens with him. But I'm holding out hope. I think he's a really special prospect.

SPEAKER_01 43:43

All right, 23.

SPEAKER_00 43:44

What do you got? I've got Alexander Command. I'm not too far behind you on some of these players.

SPEAKER_01 43:50

And I'm gonna go Ilyam Morazov.

SPEAKER_00 43:52

So we're I finally I finally added Morazov to the list. Now you come around. Good lord. No, but uh for command, I obviously he's a center and he's worked his way on top of this list. I'd he's another player like Herlbert where I don't think the physical profile and the the traits uh and the tools really support him that well. It's really just his temperament, his motor, and his ability to just go out there and affect the game for himself. This is a middle six center through and through if he develops. He's got some really he's got a nap, he's got some really interesting highlights. He's got a knack for some greasy goals. Um, he's a player that if he hits, this is one of those European players who are just really nasty to play against. Uh, I've always really liked command uh ever since that he's been climbing up the boards. I was a little bit later on him, but you know, ever since I've I've grabbed onto him, I've really kind of stuck him in my top 30 and just ask questions later. This is a great player.

SPEAKER_01 44:48

So at 24, I'm I'm gonna go with someone you already have. So it's uh Adam Novotney. I finally added him to the list. Okay. Um yeah, I mean, listen, uh you're we already talked about Novotney. Who do you got?

SPEAKER_00 44:59

24 That's 24, yeah. I am going I'm going with another high upside pick. And this is one where I look may look like a donkey if it doesn't pan out, but name me name me someone other than Gavin McKenna who can pass better than Igor Shiloh.

SPEAKER_01 45:16

Yeah, but he might be he might be lazier than Gavin McKenna on the defensive side.

SPEAKER_00 45:20

Absolutely. And I'm willing, I'm willing to take that risk. This is a player with a very, very skill set is pretty high. Yes, the skill set's very high. I've already talked about where where I have a guy like Maddox Dajnay. Yeah, yeah. But he plays a center position, he's very, very stationary in that center position. But I think if he adds some pace and at Penn State, he just might uh because he's committed and he's going there at Penn State. I see a kid who really could who could surprise some people. And I don't think he's going to be a day one pick. I think he may fall out of the first round, but I'm keeping this here because these types of players don't just wander off, they don't just become nothing. Uh, I think he'll have an NHL role. Um, I think he'll have to adapt. And he is a little bit mean when it comes down to it when he really actually tries, he's just got to show it more consistently. And normally I really am anti-people who don't who are I'm really anti-players who who don't try, but look, I there are just some plays that he made this year that I'm just like, who else can do that? Other than I agree. All right, uh, 25. 25. Uh, this is this is Brock Otten in my ear, but I've got Brooks Virgowski. Six foot seven.

SPEAKER_01 46:32

This is this is all this is like any like yeah, I I I honestly probably will have Brooks Virgowski in my like mock draft because the NHL they like six foot seven players. Well, I'll I'll I'll tell I'll tell I'll tell you why, Mark. Okay, let me why I'm gonna put let me let me put my my number 25. Is it 25? Are we at 25?

SPEAKER_00 46:52

25. 25, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 46:53

Um, okay, so I'm gonna I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go Mathis Preston.

SPEAKER_00 46:58

Um, well, I'll explain, I'll explain my Brooks Forgowski pick. Um okay, let's hear it. Well, here's the thing Dean Latorno has made me really rethink what I need to expect from these types of players. Obviously, this physical profile will translate to an NHL role for him. It's undoubtedly at this point. And seeing what Dean Latorno was his draft year, and now seeing what Brooks Rowski is his draft year, I see a faster version of a player who is more aggressive. Uh, he's more, he's way more he's way more aggressive, I think, on the defensive side of the puck. He is a better attack, he's better at attacking the net. I think he's going to have an easier time slotting into that Michigan State lineup. He's going to go, he's going to be someone that I really have been. He's someone that I've been really impressed with this year. Um, I was really ready to dog on him. I was ready to be like, yeah, he's a tall player, but what else he can do? There turns out there's a lot that he can do. So I I do like him, and I think that Adam Nightingale is knows what to do with these types of players. He's gonna really turn him into one.

SPEAKER_01 48:02

Listen, if you got Aaron Olsom in your top 32, I'm stopping the video and we're done, okay? Because I'm not gonna have this anymore, okay? This is I'm not gonna, I'm I I'm not gonna stop, I'm not gonna confirm or deny. Yeah, Ragowski mock draft-wise, I probably got Ragowski in the first round, but of course, okay. So, anyway, so who did I say I got at uh 25? I got Mathis Preston. I mean, yeah, you know what? Listen, they he definitely plateaued this year. I talked about players who plateaued, he plateaued. However, I still like at the at the U18s, I saw glimpses of something that could come out. I think he's a July baby, he's young, he's small, he's got to get bigger, he's got to get stronger. I think that this is a player that still has a skill set, he still does things with a puck on his stick that I'm like, oh yeah, I like that kind of player. In terms of mock drafts, he might not be in my first round for a mock draft, but ranking wise, I gotta give him a chance because of the skill set. I'm interested to see who you got at 26.

SPEAKER_00 49:02

I I will make a quick comment about uh Preston just because I will say I don't have Preston in my top 32. Um, I I look, he's an incredibly skilled player, incredibly skilled. But we had Corey Promin on at the beginning of the year, and I think he said it best. He is an incredibly skilled player, he makes a lot of flashy plays, he's got great stick handling, he does all the things right. He looks like a Berkeley Cat. However, if he doesn't do anything with that created space and he doesn't get to the middle, what sort of player is he going to be at the next level? And I've that's been in the back of my mind at every single viewing, and you know what? Corey's right, that's where I've really landed on him with it, and I I it's less it's left an impression on me, and I I've really kind of stuck with it because he hasn't shown me otherwise. But let's move on to 26 because I have another WHL or here. Uh the first of the Ruck twins. I got Liam.

SPEAKER_01 49:53

Okay. So I'm gonna go with I'm gonna go with JP Herlbert, so I'll put another WHL player in there. JP Herlbert. Okay, so Liam Ruck. Uh, yeah. Well, guess what? I got Liam Ruck next. So you can put a lot of.

SPEAKER_00 50:07

There you go. There you go. Boom. That's that's huge. I well, Liam Ruck's a a great player, and look, I I've already spoken. I got Ryan Lynn in there finally. I got Ryan, I got Ryan Lynn there finally.

SPEAKER_01 50:17

Yeah, okay. We're getting close here. All right, so there you go. So, okay, so Liam Ruck. Yeah, I mean, hey, those two, fun to watch. Some of the stuff together.

SPEAKER_00 50:28

One half of like the best duo from the WHL this year. They were phenomenal. And Liam Ruck really was the brains of that operation. Obviously, Marcus Ruck, obviously, he was the the finisher and uh with some really good talents, but I think Liam Ruck uh did outshine his brother just a little bit. Um, he's a bit faster too, which I really liked, but he's a much more cerebral player, easily lands my in my first round. Um, did fight with him a little bit, but hey, look at there. Ryan Lynn, Ryan Lynn is in my first round too. You didn't think that was gonna happen. But uh look I didn't know.

SPEAKER_01 51:00

He's committed to Denver the way you were going with these picks, I was like, yeah, I guess he's going like full-on draft kind of version here.

SPEAKER_00 51:08

No, no, no, no, no. But um with Ryan Lynn, I I I did fight with him a little bit in terms of in my head, but he does have a very WHL skill set, and I don't know how he's going to do it. Denver, honestly, I'm a little scared, if I'm being honest. But I think there is a there's a path to him getting that game-breaking speed, getting that game-breaking elusiveness that he kind of didn't have this year. Um, I think he was outshined even by Daxon Rudolph, which, if you're getting outshined by a guy who needs to up his pace, you you really gotta get get it going um as a 5'11 defenseman. But I believe in Lynn. Uh, I I believe that I I've made that clear by putting him in my top in my top 32. So here you go. There you go. All right. What number we had here? 28. 28. What do you got? I got my first goalie uh from Russia. This is my first time I really poured uh a ton of salt, a ton of salt into uh some goalie projections. And Dmitry Borishev.

SPEAKER_01 52:09

Again, this is this is this is more of a mock draft kind of than a ranking here, Link. Jeez.

SPEAKER_00 52:14

Oh my gosh, Mark. God forbid Link gets more mature with his rankings. No, Dmitry Borishev is a guy that I I I watched this year, and he's just a goaltender that I thought really could do no wrong. Obviously, we go to this well of Russian goalies every single year, but it really is just a factory of them. Six foot three, around 200 pounds, but he is quick. Very quick with the legs, both in sort of his skating is very, very adept, but also his knees, and he's very quick on his pads as well. Got a very good glove hand, really good at corraling rebounds. It was a pretty easy pick for me. Um, a very confident goalie as well. He battles, uh I think he's has all the markings of a late first goaltender, which we see every so often. We don't see every single year. I thought it was only Josh Ravensbergen who was that sort of label last year, but that's why that's who I have at 28.

SPEAKER_01 53:04

I'm gonna go Jack Hextahl.

SPEAKER_00 53:07

Ooh, I like that. I gotta tell you, I really like I really like Jack Hextahl. Tell me, give me your pitch on him.

SPEAKER_01 53:14

Well, I again, so this is another player that I I got to watch firsthand. And I think that you know, I I get a little bit more biased when I see players live. And so Jack Hextahl, I think he's another player that I think that there's another level that he can attain. Uh, but like in terms of his you know, 200-foot game and how he controls the three zones, I found that he was really he's really mature in in all three zones. Responsible defensively. Uh is the offensive upside there, maybe not, but I think that uh given the right environment, um, I don't know. I think that the USHL is not the perfect breeding ground for him. I think that he needs to, you know, go the NCAA route to uh to to uh get to the next level, I guess. Like learn those habits that you need.

SPEAKER_00 53:57

I just committed to Michigan State, like this this kid has uh I see an increase of skating to this kid doing him so many wonders. Obviously, like he he sometimes he looks like he's stuck in the mud, but the hands on this kid, the just the the game sense for him, I'm a big fan of it. All right, what are we at? Number 29. 29, I'll keep it short and sweet, six foot three, uh playing in the Swiss League as a as an 18-year-old. Give me C MOS Ignata Vicious. Uh this kid this kid is just a gamer. This kid is very physical. Uh he moves people out of the way, and he also has a little bit of an offensive flair. Exactly who I would want if I was a team picking in the later rounds, and I want a guy who I think has a high floor, who could play relatively soon, who could also be a very well-adjusted player in the bottom six. I I like see uh he's a very safe pick uh for the late first round. Love him.

SPEAKER_01 54:52

I'm gonna go William Hawkinson. Ooh, like that one too. The smooth skating defenseman out of Sweden. Yeah, I think that he's kind of like a similar, maybe a little bit lower tier than our boy Guffeson. So I just yeah. And a little bit of time, I think that this could turn out to be a decent pick, especially in the later, later part of the first round.

SPEAKER_00 55:16

All right, let's let's go. We've we've got 30, 31, and 32. I'm just gonna uh fire these off really quickly. Me too. Uh at 30, I've got uh I've got Tommy Blyle. I think it was due time for him to get into my into my uh top 32 in my top 30 as well. Like you said, smooth skater. I'm worried about a few other issues that I'm not worried about with Lynn and Villeneuve, but hey, I'm taking chances with this guy. Um, he's gonna be a Michigan State commit. So I think he's gonna solve these issues by himself. At 31, I have Ryder Cali, um, one of the youngest players in this draft class, uh, very hard-nosed player, going to play at Providence next year in the rough and mean hockey east. I think he's gonna replace uh Roger McQueen semi-well, not as good as as uh someone else would, but I I really like Cali. I think that he has some offensive potential that we're not talking about. And then 32, I have to put him there because I think the upside is too hard to push against, but I love Yuho Pipparainen. Put him at 32 for me.

SPEAKER_01 56:18

No, that's I I got I got Yuho Pipparinen my top 32. So yeah, I mean, you know what? Listen, so I let me okay. So I'm gonna go, I'm gonna go youho Yuho Pipparainen at 30, Brooks Worgowski at 31, and Borishev at 32. Now, reason I'm not a big goaltender guy, but I was listening talking to Darren Boyce, the puck bunker boys, and he told me that he's a first-round talent. So I'm putting him in a 32 just because this one's on Boise from the Puck Bunkers. That's the only that's the only reason why I got him there because like I said, I'm not a big goalie guy, I don't typically watch them, I don't know what to look for. So there you go. There you go. So let's let's look at this here. So we got uh Tommy Bly, Ryder Cali, Yuho Pipparin, and then I got you pipparinen, Brooks Ragowski, and Dmitry Bureshev. Not a bad we're kind of close. There's uh there's a couple players that we're a little bit off on. Uh I think you went a little bit more, you went a little bit more kind of like mock draft, like what the actual NHL is looking for. I went a little bit more like I like the skill set. I'm gonna go with this kid. He probably is not a first rounder, but hey, I mean it's it's pretty there's only about three different, we're only three off, so it's not that bad. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 57:30

I I always approach I always approach these things that um if I were a GM, what would I be looking for and what I value in a team? And I I think that this draft class um is is one of those draft classes where you want to get your forwards early. This is a a draft class where it's very heavy on the defensive depth. I think the depth overall in this draft class is really good. This is a very deep class. I think this is going to be one that people will be talking about for a while. There are gonna be a couple hidden gems in the second, third, fourth round that both me and Mark will rank pretty low and look they'll end up turning out really good. But I think that's the beauty of this class. I think you can grab the forwards early and then you can draft defense later. I think that may end up happening past like the 15th pick, but we'll see what happens. Um, obviously, there's three very intriguing offensive defensemen. It's all so exciting. It's all happening in fifth uh 11 days, which is insane. But uh yeah, that's I think I think we really did some good jobs. Uh a good job here, Mark.

SPEAKER_01 58:29

Yeah, I mean listen, yeah, at the end of the day, it's fun. We just uh you take your guesses and uh you see what happens come draft day. Uh the my my mock's gonna be a little different than this, obviously. I I will have some players in and out of this ranking, but uh can't wait. We're gonna do it live. We're gonna see some trades live. We're gonna, you know, just yeah, it's gonna be a blast, Link. I can't wait to to be there and have fun, man. It's getting close.

SPEAKER_00 58:53

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_01 58:54

Yeah, all right. You know what? I think that does it for this one, eh, bud?

SPEAKER_00 58:59

Yeah, yeah.

unknown 58:59

Of course.

SPEAKER_01 59:00

Let's do it. And uh yeah, we'll uh we'll next week. What are we doing next week? Are we gonna do we're gonna do a mock probably next week then? Yeah.