The 2026 NHL Draft is shaping up to be a fascinating event, with a number of players rising up the ranks and earning the attention of scouts and fans alike. While the focus is often on the top prospects, it's the midseason risers and hidden gems that truly make the draft exciting. These players have the potential to become franchise-changers, and their rise up the draft boards is a testament to their hard work and talent. In this article, I'll take a closer look at 10 players who have improved their draft stock the most this year, organized alphabetically by last name. From the crafty two-way defender to the high-end skater, these players have all earned their place in the top 64 conversation. But what makes a draft riser? It's a combination of factors, including strong second halves, highly translatable skills, and the ability to showcase talent previously unnoticed. So, let's dive into the top 10 biggest risers of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Tommy Bleyl, RHD (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)
Tommy Bleyl is a highly skilled two-way defender who came out of nowhere to register 81 points as a QMJHL rookie. What makes Bleyl so impressive is his ability to play a calm, collected game defensively while consistently getting himself into scoring lanes in the other zone. He's exceptionally crafty, skates very well, and doesn't let bigger competition bother him. However, he needs to get stronger, as he gets pushed around too often, especially in front of the net. But his mobility and raw hockey sense are definitely there, and his rise up draft boards this year has been fascinating to watch. I think he has the potential to become the two-way defender some think he's capable of being, and I'm excited to see if he can prove the haters wrong.
Alexander Command, C (Orebro, Sweden U-20)
Alexander Command is a smart, solid two-way center who makes everyone around him better. He doesn't seem to have many off shifts, and that's because he's effective away from the puck, too. Command can contribute offensively but also will win faceoffs, block shots, and make moves with intent. I've liked him internationally, and he has played quite well against his own age group. I think he's more of a second/third-liner in the NHL but one who shouldn't have many issues being effective. However, I'm not sure he'll put up a ton of points, though. Personally, I think his reliability and effectiveness make him a valuable asset, and I'm excited to see how he develops in the NHL.
Wyatt Cullen, LW (USNTDP)
Wyatt Cullen was more of a late-round prospect heading into the season, but he grew to 6-foot-1 and established himself as a point-per-game player with the USNTDP. He was USA's top player throughout the U-18 World Championship thanks to his high-end hockey sense and the ability to get the whole American attack moving. His puck-handling – both as a shooter and a passer – is remarkable, and he's a high-end skater who seemingly found a whole other gear once he got up to speed this season. Cullen is a constant scoring threat because he's always scanning lanes for passes, but he has the quick footwork and lateral mobility to blow by most opponents and put himself into dangerous areas. Few players have risen as high as Cullen in recent months, and I think he's a player you should get on the hype train for.
Måns Gudmundsson, RHD (Farjestad, Sweden U-20)
Måns Gudmundsson was far from one of the more notable Swedish defenders heading into the season, but now a third-round pick is absolutely in the cards. Gudmundsson's 6-foot-3 frame is intriguing as a starting point, and he showed off his puck skills, too. He had 25 points in 35 games at the Swedish U-20 level and had a solid showing en route to a gold at the U-18 World Championship. He's a good puck mover who looked great on the power play, especially during the Swedish U-20 playoffs. However, his shot lacks power, and he's not actually that physical for his frame, which is why he's further down here. But some scouts see a guy who has the tools to become a bottom-pairing option once he bulks up. I think his potential as a bottom-pairing defender is exciting, and I'm curious to see how he develops in the NHL.
Beckett Hamilton, C (Red Deer Rebels, WHL)
Beckett Hamilton is a mid-sized forward who has received a ton of love in the scouting community this year. NHL Central Scouting bumped him up 42 spots between the midterms and the final rankings, and for good reason. He had an extremely productive campaign in Red Deer – 24 goals and 62 points in 67 games on a team that just made the playoffs is nothing to sneeze at. He gets a ton of shots on net, and he plays with solid pace, too. I like his game in transition, and he plays with so much pace. Hamilton was a top-line player with Red Deer, but I liked his energetic style of play more with Canada on the U-18 team. I think he has the potential to be a solid NHL forward, and I'm excited to see how he develops in the NHL.
Simas Ignatavicius, RW (Geneve-Servette, NL)
Simas Ignatavičius wasn't on many radars heading into the season, but that all changed by Christmas. Watching him thrive while playing against men (even if the production wasn't necessarily there) was fun. Ignatavičius won't be a play driver at the next level, and don't expect 30 goals a year, either. But the biggest draw is how he uses his big frame to absorb contact and win most of his physical battles. He makes himself exceptionally difficult to move off the puck, especially in front of the opposing goaltender. That's not to say he doesn't have a strong release, though. Ignatavičius has a powerful shot and uses his size to get himself into scoring areas quite frequently. It was hard for him to truly prove that in the NL, but it's hard for any young prospect to get sizeable ice time there. I think his physical play and ability to absorb contact make him an intriguing prospect, and I'm curious to see how he develops in the NHL.
Liam Lefebvre, C (Chicoutimi Saguenéens, QMJHL)
Liam Lefebvre wasn't highly rated heading into the season after jumping up from the prep-school ranks. But it became clear early this year that there was something there after he put up some good numbers with Rimouski. He was traded to Chicoutimi and helped the team win the QMJHL title. Lefebvre was then one of the better players at the Memorial Cup, registering at least one point in his first three games. At 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, Lefebvre plays with a ton of pressure. He's an average skater, but he works and plays a strong checking game. Scouts have noticed more skill out of him in recent months than they first thought, and he's a solid goal-scorer, too. I think he has the potential to be a solid NHL forward, and I'm excited to see how he develops in the NHL.
Filip Růžička, G (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)
Filip Růžička had never previously represented Czechia at a major event and was only playing U-17 competition back home a year ago. So not much was seemingly known about a guy who became one of the best CHL goaltenders this year. Teams love big goalies – and Růžička could be one of the largest of all-time at 6-foot-8. Růžička proved on many, many occasions that he's capable of some absolutely unbelievable performances. Most notably, he made 64 saves on 65 shots in Game 1 against Calgary in the playoffs this year, and followed it up with 48 stops two games later. Růžička is extremely competitive and does a good job of keeping himself square to shooters. However, the one thing that concerns me is that he can be a bit too slow, both in his skating and in his general movement. I think an NHL team can work with him on that, though. I think his size and competitiveness make him an intriguing prospect, and I'm curious to see how he develops in the NHL.
Maksim Sokolovskii, D (London Knights, OHL)
Maksim Sokolovskii is one of the most prominent big dudes in the draft at 6-foot-8. Nobody will mistake Sokolovskii for an offensive demon – he had eight points between 49 regular season and playoff games. But he's truly a terrifying human being when it comes to 1-on-1 situations – he makes it his life mission to kill you. I loved his play against the Soo Greyhounds because he repeatedly had to go up against top forward Brady Martin and, for the most part, succeeded. I really like Sokolovskii as a shutdown option. His lack of offense won't make him attractive to every team, but the fact that he, as a defenseman, makes it his goal to stop guys at any cost should allow him to get to the NHL. Could a team take a chance on him in the first round? Absolutely. I think his potential as a shutdown defenseman is exciting, and I'm curious to see how he develops in the NHL.
Matias Vanhanen, LW (Everett Silvertips, WHL)
Matias Vanhanen is one of the more intriguing re-entry prospects this year. Originally slated to go in one of the later rounds, if selected at all, Vanhanen quickly became one of the WHL's premier setup wingers. He showed excellent heads-up hockey sense every time he hit the ice alongside Carter Bear and Julius Miettinen. If it wasn't for Vanhanen, Everett's offense would be significantly less lethal – Vanhanen seemed to be the primary play-producer. There's no question he'll get drafted in his second year of eligibility, but scouts aren't completely sure what type of player he'll be at the next level. He lacks any sort of physical play, and he's not all too quick, either. But, man, his puck play is truly remarkable, and I loved him at the Memorial Cup with Everett. I think his puck play and ability to set up his teammates make him an intriguing prospect, and I'm curious to see how he develops in the NHL.
In conclusion, the 2026 NHL Draft is shaping up to be a fascinating event, with a number of players rising up the ranks and earning the attention of scouts and fans alike. These players have the potential to become franchise-changers, and their rise up the draft boards is a testament to their hard work and talent. I'm excited to see how they develop in the NHL, and I think they'll all have a big impact on their respective teams.
