Upside Hockey’s prospect profiler Trevor Curtis weighs in on NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2026 Draft Rankings with some ponderings:
(Stats as of November 5, 2025)
– Why was LD Lucas Ambrosio (6’3.75”, 194lbs) given the lofty grade of “B”, when he’s only put up 3 points in 18 games with the OHL’s Erie Otters? Players with Ambrosio’s size when combined with his excellent mobility, stopping power against the rush, and physicality are heavily favored by scouts. Ambrosio will never be a big point-producer but his numbers would look a lot better if Erie wasn’t third-worst in league standings as well as goals-scored.
– Poor Mikey Berchild. The 5’9.75”, 180lb LW is a “B” ranked prospect who is showing up in the first-round on some lists but playing for a poor NTDP team might hurt his draft-standing. To date he only has 4 points in 11 games after posting an impressive 26 points in 35 games in 2024-25. Berchild was also excellent for Team USA at the U-18’s, tying Cullen Potter for third in team scoring with 8 points in 7 games. Berchild is obviously diminutive but he has no fear of playing through traffic, attacks with pace, and runs on a tremendous motor with a powerful skating stride. He’s also got a lethal shot and a high IQ in all areas.
– Berchild’s teammate, RHC Dayne Beuker (5’10.25”, 168lbs) is also a “B” rated prospect but he has managed to place third in scoring for the NTDP with 7 points in 14 games, though he’s also a -11 so far for what it’s worth. Like Berchild, he plays with pace and intensity, and he skates well, but his skill and defensive engagement are inferior to that of Berchild.
– There’s plenty of reasons to like 6’1.5”, 210lb LHC Ryder Cali, who was selected 18th-overall by the Soo Greyhounds in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. The big pivot has a massive impact on his team’s defense and transition, already playing a mature, detailed two-way game, but has also contributed 7 goals and 11 points in 13 games with North Bay (he was traded from the Soo in September of 2024). Cali is said to have good upside, and shows finely-tuned puck-skills, with the ability to both score goals and set up plays. Cali is young too, with a September 8th birthday. He moves well and is quite agile, but could use a little work on his explosiveness and top-speed.
– LW Jaxon Cover (6’1.5”, 180lbs) was given a “B” rating, but his game is more raw than most as he was a late-bloomer – he grew up in the Cayman Islands apparently and only switched over from inline hockey a few years ago. I keep seeing his name on lists most often early in the second-round, so scouts obviously love his physical tools- and it helps that he has produced 12 points in 14 games for the mighty London Knights in limited ice-time. I’ve heard good things about his skill level, and scouts really like his hockey sense and creativity. Cover plays with a bit of power, and skates well, too – big upside here.
– It seems like LHC Maddox Dagenais (6’3.75”, 196lbs) has been all-potential his entire junior career, with little to show for it. Many have thought he would be a first-rounder this year and was even drafted 1st-overall by the Quebec Remparts in the 2024 QMJHL Draft but was given a “B” grade by Central Scouting. Dagenais has size, skill, hockey sense, and decent speed, but scouts don’t like his engagement or his pace, and his decision-making has been questioned at times. Only 10 points in 15 games so far this season, though Quebec is sitting 16th out of 18 teams in the Q. The good news is that he’s been getting good grades for his detailed defensive game.
– LD Ilya Dolgopolov is usually listed at 6’2” from what I’ve seen but CS says he’s 6’0”, and 187lbs and worthy of a “B” rating. In 2024-25, he was 6th in MHL scoring for U-18 defensemen with 17 points in 48 games and he’s posted 9 points in 15 MHL games to date this season – though he’s old by draft standards with an October 8th, 2007 birthday. Dolgopolov is mobile and decently skilled, playing a good two-way puck-movement game, but his inconsistent decision-making has brought up questions about his hockey sense, and his engagement in the defensive zone has ebbs and flows.
– RHD Vladimir Dravecky (5’11”, 189lbs) has put up an impressive 13 points in 16 games to date with the Brantford Bulldogs thus far but he is surrounded by high-end talent on a first-place team with a defensive group that includes Edison Engle, Adam Jiricek, Owen Protz, and the recently-returned Ben Danford. The “B” rated Dravecky is an excellent skater with speed in all 4 directions, well-developed puck-skill, with the ability to facilitate transition (and he’s obviously got offensive chops), but his defensive engagement and decision-making need work.
– I’m a fan of “B” rated LHC Beckham Edwards (6’0.75”, 182lbs) from his performance last season with the Sarnia Sting (25 goals and 45 points in 62 games) and the Hlinka (4 points in 5 games). Edwards plays a very simple game that’s devoid of flash, but is a reliable two-way player with some power, and excels without the puck. He gets to the greasy areas to finish, and has a good shot, but has the smarts to make plays, as well. To date, he has put up 7 goals and 14 points in 15 games- on pace for 64 points in 68 games. Look for him in the late-first, early-second round.
– I’m also a big fan of “B” rated RHC Colin Fitgerald (6’2.25”, 211lbs), who isn’t having the kind of season he wanted to with only 7 points in 16 games after posting 28 points in 48 games in 2024-25 for the last-place Petes. In a checking role at the Hlinka, he put up 2 points in 5 games but showed off his impactful defense, his robust physicality, and his dominant power game. Fitzgerald keeps things simple, but has decent skill and speed, with his forte’ being his hard and accurate shot. If he doesn’t pick up the offense though, he could find himself in the second, or third-round.
– C/LW Landon Hafele (5’11.75”, 185lbs) may be one of the oldest players in this year’s draft, with a September 18th, 2007 birthday, but he’s one to watch and deserving of the “B” he was given by CS. Hafele is a gritty and detailed defensive player with elite compete, violent physicality, and overwhelming motor, but he’s also no slouch in the other end of the ice, as he’s currently tied for 13th in USHL scoring with 13 points (25 PIM) in 14 games for the Green Bay Gamblers. He skates very well, hounding puck-carriers, charging the net, and attacking on the forecheck, but could use some work on his puck-skill and playmaking.
– Just because “B” rated LW Chase Harrington (6’0.5”, 195lbs) has only put up 6 goals and 11 points in 16 games for Spokane (WHL), don’t overlook him – he’s one of my early favorites and is a fierce opponent. One must also overlook Harrington’s October 30th, 2007 birthdate. In 2024-25 he put up 50 points in 68 games and another 14 points in 20 playoff games, so he’s a much better player than his stats would suggest; I think the main problem may be the fact that the Chiefs have lost a ton of talent from last season and they sit in 13th-place in the WHL,with the 19th-best goals-for. To date, Harrington has earned 42 PIM – putting him on pace for 179 PIM at the end of the year, which shows what kind of player he is. He is widely appreciated by scouts for his intense and detailed defensive acumen, his grit and compete, and his overwhelming physicality, but he’s also skilled and smart, and well-balanced offensively between his shooting and finishing skills, as well as his heads-up playmaking. He can push the pace of the game, and keeps opponents on their toes, as well as off of their game. Love this kid.
Draft. Develop. Dominate.