So much of the focus when looking at any NHL draft is on the players at the top of the rankings. While so many of the league’s best players are drafted in the top five or 10 picks, there are plenty of elite players drafted outside of that range. David Pastrnak, Nikita Kucherov, Jason Robertson and Nick Suzuki were all drafted outside of the top 10, and, for many of them, outside of the first round.
The 2026 NHL Draft is one of the deepest groups in recent memory. Some team will find a top-four defender or a top-six forward in the mid-first round or beyond.
As we approach the end of the 2025 calendar year, let’s look at some of the most intriguing players who may not go at the top of the draft but could have just as much of an impact.
10 enticing NHL draft prospects outside of the top 10
MoDo (Sweden) right wing Elton Hermansson
Hermansson is a supremely talented shooter with excellent hands and great speed. He has looked very good against men at the second level of Swedish pro hockey. He must refine his passing and defensive play, but there is so much offensive talent in Hermansson’s game that he could easily be a very good complementary scorer at the next level.
Youngstown (USHL) center Jack Hextall
Sometimes, players have elite speed or an all-world shot. Other times, player build their game around their next-level intelligence. Jack Hextall is that guy. There is almost never a time when you watch him play and see him make a truly bad play. He understands how to tactically pick apart opposing defenses and advance play. He’s all about chaining together small plays to create something bigger.
Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin
There’s a chance that Lin shoots up draft boards and firmly plants himself in the top 10 because of his highly intelligent game and ability to move pucks. He’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, but his passing and decision-making are impressive. Defensively, he has great awareness and leverages his play-reading ability to pick off passes or disrupt play. Lin can quickly turn the play around, and he racks up points in the process.
Michigan (NCAA) left wing Adam Valentini
The junior and college hockey world was surprised when Valentini decided to head to Michigan after originally committing to play in the OHL this past summer. That hurt his stock a bit, but the results since then have been fantastic. Valentini is a tactician who can play with speed and skill. He’s the second-highest scoring NHL draft-eligible player in college behind just Gavin McKenna.
Lulea (Sweden) defenseman William Hakansson
The little things stand out when you watch Hakansson play. He’s willing to block shots, get physical along the boards and kill cycles. He’s the kind of defenseman that your dad would like – a big, hard-nosed blueliner who takes care of his own end while still being a mobile skater who can make crisp breakout passes.
U.S. NTDP (USHL) right wing Casey Mutryn
NHL teams love a forward who plays with physicality and jam, which Mutryn does regularly. He drops his shoulder and leans into defenders when barreling toward the net, forcing them into uncomfortable positions. He could be the perfect complement to a couple of high-skilled forwards in a top six, adding an element of beef to the line.
Brantford (OHL) center Caleb Malhotra
The son of former NHLer Manny Malhotra, there’s little question that Caleb Malhotra understands the importance of being detail-oriented. He’s a very mature player for his age, and he excels at playing a 200-foot game. Malhotra may not be the kind of dynamic difference-maker that can drive play offensively on his own, but he will fill in the gaps of more inclined teammates while supporting them by doing the dirty work.
SaiPa (Finland) defenseman Vertti Svensk
As one of the most impressive skaters in the draft class, Svensk is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. There is a world where he’s a very skilled two-way defenseman who has a long career in Europe. There is another reality where Svensk is a top-four D-man in the NHL who dictates play and moves the puck efficiently. He’s the perfect kind of prospect for a team to bet on late in the first round.
Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels
A surprise addition to the Canadian world junior squad, Carels has a lot of the tools you want from a blueliner. He has good size, excellent mobility and an impressive work ethic. He’s a strong kid for his age, using that strength in the corners and around the net. He has some work to do to refine details in his game, but there’s a strong base to build on.
Niagara (OHL) center Ryan Roobroeck
While his skating and pace hold him back from being a truly dominant power forward, the strengths in his game will make him an intriguing player to work with for an NHL team. He has a wicked shot with the ability to rip it by a netminder cleanly, and his hands around the net are crafty and quick. He could be the finisher on a line with some power as well.