With the 2026 draft complete, theScore's Kyle Cushman hands out his initial grades for each team's incoming rookies.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Grade: C+
Chicago didn't draft in the first round after trading the fourth overall pick for Bowen Byram earlier in the week. When the Blackhawks finally started making selections on Day 2, they came swinging. Villeneuve is an undersized but thrilling defenseman who's heading to Boston University to fill the Lane/Cole Hutson role. Though Roobroeck is a big forward with 71 goals in 113 OHL games over the past two seasons, questions about his compete level and consistency have persisted.
Colorado Avalanche
Grade: C
Shilov impressed offensively as a rookie in the QMJHL with 32 goals and 82 points. He's a skilled center, but concerns about his defensive game could see him shift to wing. Hamilton is a versatile forward who led his WHL team in scoring by 24 points. Elofsson, an undersized Swedish blue-liner, is a boom-or-bust prospect. He scored at the highest rate ever by a draft-eligible defenseman in the Swedish junior league.
Dallas Stars
Grade: D+
Vanecek consistently ranked among the top-45 prospects, making him a strong value pick for later in the second round. He's 6-foot-2, a good skater, and played huge minutes at the Under-18s for Czechia. Brown popped off after a midseason trade to the OHL's London Knights, where he scored 40 points in 33 games. Kuhta was a point per game in the OHL and featured for Finland at the world juniors.
Minnesota Wild
Grade: D
Andersson is a big center with bottom-six potential as a checker. Ruzicka is a massive goaltender at 6-foot-7 who had a strong WHL season. Minnesota was the last team to make its first pick, and the class is very small at only three players.
Nashville Predators
Grade: A-
The Predators swung big on skill and upside early. Cullen grew from 5-foot-5 to 6-foot-1 over the past two years and is among the most skilled players in the draft. Bleyl had a historic rookie season in the QMJHL. He's an undersized defenseman but makes up for it with superb skating. Borichev has starting potential, while Floris is a tall, right-handed rearguard who finished the season strongly with Slovakia at the Under-18s.
St. Louis Blues
Grade: B
The Blues loaded up down the middle Friday night by trading for Mason McTavish and drafting Lawrence and Dagenais.
Lawrence won USHL playoff MVP as a 16-year-old and looked like a top-five pick midway through this past season. However, he joined Boston University in January and struggled offensively, which led him to slide down the board. He could be a steal. Dagenais is a big, skilled power forward, though he may shift to the wing. Steiner was a nice value pick in the sixth round. He's got a high motor and scored a lot in the QMJHL.
Utah Mammoth
Grade: B-
If you made the Mammoth's ideal prospect in a lab, it would probably produce Belchetz. He's a monster at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, and he has legit skill to go with it. If Belchetz hits, he could have a Matthew Knies-like impact.
Valentini is a different flair but also provides excellent value. The 5-foot-10 forward had a quality freshman campaign at Michigan and is an engaged forechecker.
Winnipeg Jets
Grade: B
Bjorck is possibly the most likable player in the draft with his dogged work ethic and immense motor. He's a 5-foot-9 center, but we just saw the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup with an undersized center in Logan Stankoven. While Bjorck needs to become a better finisher, he has everything else you want. Hrenak starred for Slovakia at the Under-18s to end the season, helping his nation win silver on home ice. Ta'Amu is the first player of Samoan descent drafted in NHL history.
