Upside Hockey’s prospect profiler Trevor Curtis weighs in on NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2026 Draft Rankings with some ponderings:
(Stats as of November 1, 2025)
– Big fan of LD Malte Gustafsson here (I was a big fan of his brother Viggo as well), who is deservedly ranked “A”. He was a favorite of mine to watch at the Hlinka (6 points in 5 games), with an exciting blend of size (6.4.25”, 200lbs) and mobility. Like his older brother, he exerts a sound shutdown game, but possesses more ability in transition and in the offensive zone; right now, he’s 6th in scoring by D in the U20 league with 9 points in 13 games.
– It will be interesting to see where “A” ranked LW Ethan Belchetz gets selected in the draft- right now, he’s outperforming fellow “A”-ranked behemoth Ryan Roobreck (9 goals and 15 points in 15 games), piling up 12 goals and 19 points in 15 games. Belchetz is younger (born in March of 2008, while Roobreck was born in September of 2007), bigger (he is 6’5”, 228lbs, while Roobreck is 6’2.75”, 215 according to CS), and I would argue more skilled with a higher IQ. I would even say that Belchetz is faster, more physical, and more impactful defensively as well. He was tied for the lead in scoring for Team Canada at the Hlinka with Mathis Preston, both putting up 4 goals and 7 points in 5 games.
– Speaking of winger Mathis Preston, he is also rated “A” by CS, but he’s struggling a bit with Spokane of the WHL with only 12 points in 14 games. He should be well above a ppg, when one considers that he registered 45 points in 54 games last season. The reason for this may be the fact that the Chiefs lost a boatload of their talent from last season and are struggling as a group to score- sitting 19th in the 23-team WHL in goals-for (40), and 9th in the standings (they were 4th last year). Incredibly, Preston still leads his team in scoring by 3 points. Though his production and size (5’10.75”, 177lbs) might hurt his draft standing and may even take him out of the top 10, he easily has top 5 skill, with top-notch vision and IQ that enables him to control the play with the puck on his stick. He was no less than impressive at the Hlinka, showing off his dynamic hands, explosive speed, and play-driving ability.
– There are many very impressive defensemen available in the first round this year, and “A” rated Carson Carels is one that might not be getting the respect he deserves. He’s already a near-spotless shutdown defenseman, and a weapon against the rush with his excellent 4-way mobility, well-timed stickwork, and physicality, but he’s not afraid to join the rush or pinch in off the point in search of offense. Right now he’s 15th in scoring by D in the WHL with 11 points in 13 games, and 3rd in scoring for U-18 blueliners, while standing 6’1.5” and 202lbs.
Ryan Lin/Photo: Rob Wilton – Vancouver Giants)
-”A” rated RD Ryan Lin is the top-scoring U-18 defenseman in the WHL right now (20 points in 15 games), and if he can keep up his 1.33 ppg pace, he will finish 10th all-time in that stat for U-18 rearguards. His 53 points in 60 games in 2024-25 represent the 9th-most by a U-17 defenseman in WHL history, and he is the top-scoring blueliner in the WHL right now by a whopping 7 points. Lin is a bit small for a defenseman (5’11”, 177lbs) and needs a little work on his shot, but there are no other real glaring weaknesses in his game. He’s a top-notch skater, overflowing with skill, responsible defensively, physical when needed, and highly intelligent in all facets of the game. He’s on pace for 91 points in 68 games and may go top 5 in the draft – if not, top 10 for sure.
– The rankings for “A” rated RD Juho Piiparainen (6’1”, 201lbs) are all over the place, with some placing him late in the first, to Craig Button putting him at fourth-overall. Pips is the only U-18 defenseman to play in the Liiga so far this year, and he’s put up 2 assists in 14 games, with a solid +7, looking like he belongs and appearing poised. He isn’t too dynamic or flashy in any way, his skating could use another gear or two, and his shot isn’t anything special, but this kid is already playing a mature, pro-style game. He is detailed defensively, active offensively, and a calming presence on the backend- with, and without the puck. Look for him in the first round.
– RD Chase Reid (6’2.25”, 188lbs) is another sure-fire first-rounder who might not be garnering the attention he deserves, although he’s starting to overcome fellow rearguard Daxon Rudolph in the rankings. Reid is an American playing for the Soo Greyhounds and has 16 points in 17 games to date – a pace that would give him 64 points in 68 games. The Soo have improved this season, currently sitting in a 3-way tie for 4th-place in the OHL and have scored the 4th-most goals (61) in the league with Reid 2nd in scoring on the team. Reid was perceived to be more of an offensive defenseman before the season began, but he apparently has made huge strides in his defensive game to become more of an all-situations, two-way minute-muncher with mobility, physicality, and an improved shutdown game, while still being an offensive catalyst in the other end of the rink.
– Before the season began, I would’ve said that RD Daxon Rudolph (6’2.25”, 206lbs) was a shoe-in to be the second defenseman taken off the board in the draft behind Verhoeff, but it seems that the gulf between the two has widened a bit in some scouts’ eyes. Prince Albert is currently the 4th-best team in the WHL and Rudolph is still easily their top blueliner, but he seems to be struggling a bit this season in both ends of the ice, with only 9 points in 12 games after posting 41 points in 64 games in 2024-25 (that mark represents the 17-best total by a U-17 defenseman in WHL history). When he’s on his game, Rudolph is a highly mobile two-way player who is a virtual stalwart defensively, money against the rush, a solid puck-mover and stickhandler, and an active playmaker with skill. I still believe it’s between Rudolph and Lin for the 2nd defenseman taken in the draft.
– Yet another righty, D Luke Schairer (6’3”, 195lbs) was surprisingly given an “A” by Cs to start the season, mostly because of his tantalizing skillset, size, and impressive mobility. He’s a superb rush-killer, and an excellent defensive player with smarts and range, who works incredibly hard, and plays with a physical edge. They say he has top-4 potential, but his offense and decision-making are question marks; he only has 2 points in 14 games with the NTDP – though it’s not a very good squad again this season.
– LD Alberts Smits (6’3”, 205lbs) has plenty of fans in the scouting world, and some say he’s a potential first-rounder, mostly because he has exploded for 6 goals and 10 points in just 5 U20 games, and 9 points in 18 Liiga games – superhuman numbers for a defenseman who doesn’t turn 18 until December. Smits is said to be hyper-aggressive, and highly active with excellent mobility paired with high motor in both ends of the rink, but his penchant for risk-taking can get him in trouble and often leaves scouts pondering his hockey-sense and decision-making. He looks to be a player with a wide array of impressive tools but will need time to sort his game out a bit.
– In 2024-25, “A” rated LD Xavier Villeneuve (5’11”, 162lbs) finished 2nd-overall in scoring by D in the Quebec League with an incredible 62 points in 61 games, which ranks as the 22nd-best season by a U-18 blueliner in the history of the league (his ppg of 1.02 is tied for 12th), earning him the award for the QMJHL’s Top Defenseman – only the third 17 year-old to receive that honor. This season he is off to a torrid start, with 22 points in just 16 games for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, who are one of the best squads in the Q and he is on pace for 88 points in 64 games. He was also 2nd in D scoring at the U-18s with 8 points in 7 games for Team Canada, tied for the 18th-best total for D in the tournament’s history. Villeneuve is a high-end skater with speed and uncommon agility, who could stickhandle in a phone booth- drawing comparisons to Montreal’s Lane Hutson. He’s a lights-out offensive defenseman with vision and creativity but is working hard to shore up his defensive game.
Draft. Develop. Dominate.