Locked On NHL Prospects

With the 2026 NHL Draft moving ever closer and the 17th overall selection on the horizon, the coming 10 days will prove fascinating for the LA Kings' future. An organization with a typical preference for drafting hard-nosed players who won't back down to the physical challenges of competing in the Western Conference may have to put those desires aside to swing hard on upside in a range of the draft that may very well feature a falling high-skill piece from the top 12. We also discuss how players like Byfield and Turcotte have or haven't developed, and what we can learn from those selections. 

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The blueline class in the 2026 NHL Draft is hyped up for a reason, with potential top pair pieces available, like Carels, Reid, and Verhoeff. As we begin to unveil our final rankings this week, we present our top 10 defencemen, all of whom are clear 1st round talents in our eyes. From the shifty undersized dynamos Xavier Villeneuve and Tommy Bleyl to the hulking Maksim Sokolovskii and Malte Gustafsson, the variety of profiles available is impressive. What would your rankings look like?

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The 2026 NHL Draft is notoriously open even amongst the class's top talents, with a dozen names with at least a chance of hearing their names selected inside the top 5. While we get the sense that McKenna is the guy for Toronto at 1, it's wide open after that, and we expect a surprise fall from somebody, whether it be the high-flying Ivar Stenberg outside the top 3 or one of the hyped defencemen slipping outside the top 5 entirely, while late risers like Wyatt Cullen could raise eyebrows early. What's your prediction?

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If you're looking for a swing on high-end details, dual-threat skill, and clear top-six upside, Nikita Klepov could be a steal of a pick in the back half of the first round. From an impressive power play toolkit to defensive details mature beyond his years, few players outside the top 10 possess his blend of NHL upside and floor. He's a high-likelihood NHLer and could eventually hit a Nikolaj Ehlers-type scoring upside.

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With the 2026 NHL Draft moving ever closer and the 6th overall selection on the horizon, the coming weeks will prove vital for the Calgary Flames' future. With 7 selections among the first 70 picks, calling the Flames loaded for draft capital would be an understatement. Alongside Locked On Flames host Ryan G., we break down the best options at sixth overall -- highlighted by Viggo Björck and Carson Carels -- as well as some high-upside swings that could be enticing in the 25-55 range on draft day. We wrap up the show by digging into the Flames' current roster construction, exciting young pieces, and the dire need for special talents to enter the fold. Who would you target for Calgary?

Note: Cole Reschny is the one forward prospect with real upside I didn't get around to mentioning in the third segment, but his top-six upside is comparable to Gridin's, though he leans more heavily toward a playmaking projection.

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If you're looking for a swing on high-end checking ability, a heavy shot, and clear top-six upside, Adam Novotny is a gem in the 10-20 range on draft day. From impressive stick details to blistering speed and overwhelming physicality, he embodies a bunch of the elements that teams are desperate to add leading up to the NHL Playoffs. He's a high-likelihood NHLer and could eventually hit an Adrien Kempe-type scoring upside.

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The final Elite Prospects rankings for the 2026 Draft have dropped and we discuss various risers & fallers throughout the top 32. While the top 5 doesn't diverge much from consensus, the 6 to 15 range sees some big swings, including Wyatt Cullen at 6. We focus mostly on the top-32, but you're welcome to check out the full list at Elite Prospects.

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If you're looking for a home run swing outside the top fifteen on elite mobility and plenty of puck-moving and power play upside, Tommy Bleyl is right up your alley. One of the biggest risers of the season gets fans out of their seats every single night and while he will need to bulk up physically to hang at the pro level, a couple seasons in college with Michigan State should go a long way. Would you like your favourite team to take this swing?

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After putting together a mock draft based on needs the other week, we return with the inverse, running with hot takes and unhinged swings. From the Leafs going Ivar Stenberg to McKenna falling to Chicago and Caleb Malhotra joining his dad in Vancouver, this mock has a whole lot of potentially interesting storylines. Unlike other mocks where we aim to predict as many picks as possible, this time around, we focused more on trying to hit the few surprise risers and fallers. Let us know your thoughts!

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If you're looking for a home run swing outside the top five on elite skill at forward, Wyatt Cullen may be the most exciting option. The winger is one of the youngest players in the draft class, drove the offense with dominant creativity with the NTDP and an 8-inch growth spurt in the past two years gives him plenty of physical runway. Not dissimilar to Beckett Sennecke in 2024, Cullen is the draft's biggest second-half riser built on a growing frame and elite talent with the puck. Could he go top 7?

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