Braeden Cootes is a dynamic two-way forward with elite skills and the ability to impact the game in every situation. While his 63 points in 60 WHL games may not catch the eye, Cootes’s value goes far beyond the scoresheet. He’s a reliable, energetic center who can both create and break up plays, making him a difference-maker at both ends of the ice. While some see him as a mid-first-round pick, we strongly believe that he has the upside to exceed these expectations.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Reliable, all-situations top-6 center with 70+ point upside
Floor: High-end, reliable, middle-6 center

Player Comparison: Brayden Point

Carter Bear is an energetic 6’0” workhorse who may not be the biggest player on the ice, but consistently outworks everyone around him. His relentless motor, paired with legitimate skill, gives him the upside to become a versatile top-6 forward at the NHL level.

Our main concern with Bear is his recent lacerated Achilles tendon injury, which can have a significant impact on an athlete’s career. If he recovers well, his combination of effort and talent could make him a valuable asset.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Top-6 winger with 30+ goal and 70+ point upside
Floor: High-motor top-9 forward

Player Comparison: Seth Jarvis

Sascha Boumedienne is a smart, two-way defenseman who stood out as the youngest player in the NCAA, showing continuous improvement as the season progressed. His game is built on effective puck movement, a strong transition game, and pro-level habits in his own end. Boumedienne’s skating took major positive strides this year. and his booming slapshot makes him threat on the PP.

Trusted in key situations for both BU and Team Sweden, he finished the year with a standout performance at the U18s. He projects as a prototypical modern NHL two-way defenseman.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Effective top-pair, all-situations D
Floor: Reliable 3rd-pairing D

Player Comparison: Jonas Brodin with more offensive upside

Ryker Lee is arguably the most skilled player in this year’s draft, boasting precise lightning-fast hands, elite one-on-one moves, and a cannon of a shot that can beat goalies from anywhere. He regularly embarrasses defenders and has shown the ability to take over shifts in the USHL, finishing with 68 points and 31 goals in 58 games, good enough for 4th in league scoring and 1st among draft-eligible players.

He’s one of the draft’s big question marks: can he translate his high-end skill to consistent, top-level NHL production? Consistency about his work ethic is also a concern, some games he flies down the ice, backchecks hard, and impacts both ends, while in others he seems to be puck-watching.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Elite, 80+ point offensive threat
Floor: Inconsistent NHLer who struggles to secure a regular spot

Player Comparison: Daniel Sprong

Jackson Smith is a tall, left-handed D whose elite skating and offensive impact make him one of the top defensemen in this year’s class. Smith’s agility, 10-2 edgework, and acceleration make him a threat in transition and in joining the rush. He can be a bit overly ambitious with his stickhandling and passing, but he is very proactive and keeps opponents on their toes.

Certain defensive zone reads might need some work, but his skating and defensive stick give him a strong base to work with. With significant growth in his production and defensive impact, his high motor and toolkit suggest the upside of a dynamic NHL defender.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Lower-end top-pair D
Floor: Puck-moving top-6 D

Player Comparison: Mike Matheson / Travis Sanheim

Roger McQueen is a unique blend of size and skill, standing at 6’5” yet able to dangle and skate like a much smaller player. He has soft hands, good vision, and an ability to make skilled plays. This season, McQueen put up 20 points in just 17 WHL games this season after suffering a vicious lower back injury (L4-L5 pars fracture).

While his talent is clear, there are still concerns about how fully he’ll recover and perform over the long term.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Top-6 forward, 70+ points
Floor: Top-9 forward, 30+ points

Player Comparison: A faster Patrik Laine, with a worse shot

Logan Hensler is a mobile, right-shot defenseman whose skillset blends strong skating ability, defensive IQ, and an efficient puck-moving game. At 6’2”, 198 lbs, he brings an NHL-ready frame and thrives in transition, using edgework and fluid pivots to maintain a tight gap and push opponents to the outside. While not an offensive playdriver, his efficient passing game and habits help keep plays alive. With solid NCAA and World Juniors experience, Hensler’s game projects to clear top-4 NHL upside.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Top-4, transition D
Floor: Reliable top-6 D

Player Comparison: Ryan Lindgren

Jake O’Brien is a highly creative, pass-first center with elite vision and maybe the best playmaking instincts in the draft. He excels at manipulating defenders and making passes through the smallest of gaps. He can be prone to overhandling and could benefit from shooting more, but his IQ and skills make him an offensive threat. He posted 98 points in 66 OHL games, driving Brantford’s power play, but he’ll need to add muscle and improve his pace of play to translate his game to the next level.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Top-6 playmaking C
Floor: Middle-6 winger, PP specialist

Player Comparison: Dylan Strome

Cole Reschny is a high-IQ center who stands out for his smart, detail-oriented play and excellent passing game. At 5’10”, 180 lbs, he brings consistent 200-foot effort, driving play with smart positioning, efficient puck touches, and support both offensively and defensively. While his skating pace and shot are just average, Reschny is highly effective at winning battles, cutting off passing lanes, and making one-touch plays to spring teammates.

His playmaking and off-puck intelligence make him a versatile, reliable presence who can adapt to any role in the lineup.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Playmaking, middle-6 C
Floor: Bottom-6 C

Player Comparison: Nick Bonino

Milton Gästrin is a smart two-way center with a well-rounded game and an easy NHL projection. At 6’1”, 194 lbs, he’s trusted to play in all situations, including playing all special teams and taking important faceoffs. Gästrin’s biggest strengths are his excellent positioning, defensive support, and his ability to read and react to the play as it unfolds. Offensively, his hands are his best tool, allowing him to handle the puck confidently and make plays in tight space, though his shot is average average and his passing can be predictable at times.

Gästrin skates well, with good acceleration and effective use of crossovers to generate speed in transition. While his motor can be inconsistent and he needs to keep his feet moving, his frame, hockey sense, and leadership qualities (captaining Sweden at several junior events) consistently shine, especially in international play.

As he adds more pace and keeps building on his already strong foundation, Gastrin projects as an ideal third-line center with a high floor and potential for more.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Efficient, two-way middle-6 C
Floor: Bottom-6 C, special teams specialist

Player Comparison: Lars Eller

Bill Zonnon is a high-motor winger who stands out for his relentless forechecking and smart, detail-oriented game. At 6’2”, 190 lbs, he thrives as the F1, always first in on the puck and quick to pressure defenders. Zonnon processes passing options at a high level, delivering crisp, accurate passes to teammates and supporting play in all three zones.

He’s trusted on both the power play and penalty kill, and while his skating mechanics aren’t great, he powers through them with effort and physicality. Zonnon projects as a versatile, high-floor forward who can make an impact in a variety of roles.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Playmaking, checking middle-6 winger
Floor: Reliable, high-motor 4th-line winger

Player Comparison: Calle Järnkrok

Cole McKinney is a 6’0”, 200-pound center who produced at over a point-per-game pace for the NTDP U18 team this season. McKinney has a great arsenal of offensive tools at his disposition, including great hands, good vision to make plays, strong passing, and a dangerous shot.

Smart with the puck and a natural playmaker, McKinney has the skill set to become a valuable asset for an NHL team in the future.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Top-6 forward, 50+ points
Floor: Skilled top-9 forward, 30+ points

Player Comparison: Dylan Guenther

Cameron Schmidt is a dynamic, undersized winger known for his blazing speed and dangerous shot. At 5’7”, 160 lbs, he’s a creative scorer who can beat goalies clean with a quick, powerful release, and he’s comfortable handling the puck at top speed. While his passing is still developing and decision-making can be inconsistent, Schmidt’s agility, skill, and willingness to attack the net make him a constant offensive threat.

Defensively, he’s a bit passive, but his feisty motor and ability to get open give him intriguing upside if he rounds out his game

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Electric top-6 RW with 30+ goal upside
Floor: AHL call-up / Europe career

Player Comparison: Cole Caufield (with better skating & less natural scoring touch)

Adam Benák is a 5’7” forward with high-end skill and impressive offensive instincts. He’s a dynamic playmaker who can rack up points at any level, but we have concerns about how his play will translate against bigger, stronger competition. The talent is clear!

If he can overcome the size hurdle, he has the potential to be a productive top-6 NHL forward, but he comes with significant risk.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Top-6, 50+ point forward (high risk due to size)
Floor: AHL superstar

Player Comparison: Marco Rossi

Henry Brzustewicz is a smooth-skating, right-shot D whose strength lies in his passing and poise under pressure. At 6’1”, 194 lbs, he moves the puck efficiently with crisp breakouts and creative, simple plays, showing value on the power play and in transition. His skating is fluid, though not particularly fast, and his skillset is very complete and steady, albeit unspectacular. He has serviceable hands and a decent shot, but they aren’t standout tools.

Defensively, Brzustewicz reads the play well and has a good stick in transition, but his habits and compete level are average. He’ll need to keep refining his reads to handle NHL pace but his base skillset is very complete and shows good potential.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Puck-moving top-4 D
Floor: 3rd-pair transition D

Player Comparison: Filip Hronek

Vaclav Nestrasil is a skilled 6’5”, 190-pound forward who’s still learning to harness his size and height. He has good hands and strong skating technique, but remains a work-in-progress. After putting up 42 points in 61 USHL games this year, Nestrasil is a long-term development project with intriguing upside if he can put it all together.

PROJECTION:
Ceiling: Middle-6 center, 40+ points
Floor: Reliable bottom-6 center

Player Comparison: Nick Bjugstad