The NHL draft is a fluid process.
Nothing ever really stays the same, and from team to team, opinions on players vary widely.
There is a group of players every year that rise up boards, however. This year, that ranges from players who have put themselves in the top-10 conversation to prospects who have proven they are worth consideration in the first round.
Prospects can rise up draft lists because of elite-level play or a physical tool kit that oozes potential. A prospect improving through the latter half of the season tantalizes NHL teams looking to select the hot hand
Let’s dive into 10 of the names who are rising up the draft boards.
10 NHL draft risers
Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits
It’s been said a million times at this point, but the rise of Alberts Smits has been impressive beyond belief. He’s the closest thing to Moritz Seider in his draft year, considering he’s a big, mobile defender who showcases two-way dominance at every level. Smits could be a legitimate top-five prospect in this draft class after starting the year as a potentially intriguing prospect going outside of the first round. He had two points in four games for Latvia at the Olympics.
Djurgarden (Sweden) center Viggo Bjorck
If Bjorck hadn’t proven over the last two months that he’s a legitimate center prospect, he probably would have faced a much tougher climb up draft boards. Bjorck was a very reliable center at the world juniors and has been a top-six center in the Swedish League. In a weak year for centers, he’s becoming a topic of conversation among the top pivots in the class.
Boston University (NCAA) left wing Oscar Hemming
After not playing hockey for the first few months of the season, Hemming joined the Boston University Terriers and immediately started to tear it up. Hemming has brought the scoring touch he’s been known for, along with a physical edge. His pace has been immediately noticeable against college competition, and his eight points in 12 games have been well above expectations.
Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny
Novotny’s impressive transition ability, dual-threat offensive game and sound two-way play have taken a bit to garner recognition, but he has started to show up in the top 20 on many draft boards. Novotny is a well-rounded player who impressed at the world juniors despite only recording three assists. He may not have the offensive upside of some players around the top half of the first round, but he has a very clear floor to build on.
U.S. NTDP (USHL) left wing Wyatt Cullen
An impressive USHL prospects game helped get more attention on him, but Cullen has been a catalyst offensively for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. His speed and skill make him a gamebreaker at times. The NTDP doesn’t have many true difference-makers, but Cullen has emerged throughout this season. His scoring totals aren’t quite as high as we are used to seeing in the top NTDP players, but he paces the squad this year.
Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels
It was impressive enough that Carels made the world junior squad for Team Canada, but he has shown a well-rounded game in the WHL. He’s physically mature and shows a willingness to get involved physically along the boards. Carels isn’t a silky smooth puck-mover, but he’s a rock-solid two-way player who is showing himself capable of more as the season progresses.
Quebec (QMJHL) center Maddox Dagenais
Dagenais is a big center with a physical edge and a willingness to play simple hockey. He has been throwing big reverse hits, getting in on the forecheck and playing dump-and-chase hockey while attacking the net front once he has possession in the offensive zone. Dagenais plays the game like an NHLer in a lot of ways, which isn’t typical coming out of the QMJHL. With so few centers in this year’s class, he could easily fly up boards.
Miami (NCAA) center Ilya Morozov
Last year, Morozov had a perfectly good season in the USHL. He was a solid forward who showed flashes of skill. When he got to the NCAA, expectations were fairly low, given he is one of the youngest players in the draft class and the youngest in college hockey. That said, he’s been a top power-play threat, a penalty-killer and a top-six center consistently throughout this season. Although he’s not playing the highest level of competition, he’s been excelling at every turn.
Lulea (Sweden) center Casper Juustovaara Karlsson
There are very few players who play with the edge, the motor and the relentless pace of Casper Juustovaara Karlsson. The undersized forward plays north-south hockey, driving the net. He doesn’t shy away from physical play either and oftentimes invites it. Not every team will be able to get by his 5-foot-9 size, but if they can, they’ll get one of the hardest workers in the draft.
London (OHL) left wing Jaxon Cover
After building up his skill level and creativity while dominating the roller hockey circuits, Cover made the jump to ice hockey full-time, and he’s one of the London Knights’ scoring leaders. Cover is a highly skilled yet very raw prospect who has only been playing ice hockey for about half a decade. With the growth he’s shown already, the sky is the limit for the silky-skilled left winger.