8. Adam Novotny (Peterborough, OHL)
Czech forward Adam Novotny's draft stock rose with an impressive season with Peterborough in the OHL this past season. Novotny scored over a point-per game, registering 34 goals, 31 assists, and 65 total points in 58 games played with Peterborough in the 2025-26 season.
Novotny is known for his non-stop motor, relentless forechecking ability in the zone, and a quick shot that can be lethal in advantageous areas of the ice offensively. Don't underrate his speed and skating ability either. When combined with his relentless energy and motor on both sides of the ice, Novotny becomes the type of player who can generate offense, create turnovers, and impact the game in multiple areas of the ice at the next level.
7. Liam Ruck (Medicine Hat, WHL)
Liam Ruck came into a situation this past season in Medicine Hat in the WHL where the Tigers had just recently lost the potential 2026 first overall pick and Cayden Lindstrom. Ruck helped to make up for the lost production offensively scoring the puck for the Tigers this past season, putting up 45 goals and over 100 total points in 68 games played.
The speed and up-tempo playmaking Ruck can fit into schematically in most systems in the league makes him likely first-round pick in the 2026 draft this upcoming week.
6. Elton Hermansson (MODO, Sweden)
Swedish forward Elton Hermansson has tremendous physical talent and upside at the winger position. He brings high-level playmaking and stickhandling, powerful skating and physicality, and high-level hockey IQ. Hermansson can make plays happen himself or create high-level scoring opportunities in the zone for the teammates around him.
His ability to create offense in the zone and off the rush, and to drive the play through the neutral zone has made him one of the more intriguing European wingers in this draft class for 2026.
I would be surprised if Hermansson wasn't off draft boards by picks 25-30 in the first round of the 2026 draft. There's a good chance, given where he's ranked by most in the media and scouts in the league, that Hermansson could be a late lottery or picked in the teens in the first round of the 2026 draft.
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