NHL Draft Class

It's time to put a wrap on the 2026 NHL Draft, as TSN director of scouting Craig Button joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss all the happenings during the two days in Buffalo, from Gavin McKenna's selection with the No. 1 pick, to Daxon Rudolph being the first defenseman chosen, surprise picks and much more. Craig also previews the top players to watch for the 2027 NHL Draft, with defenseman Landon DuPont and forwards Carter Meyer, Alexis Joseph, Nazar Privalov and Dimian Zhilkin among the biggest names.

The first round of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft is in the books, and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale cover all aspects. They spoke with Gavin McKenna moments after he was chosen by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the No. 1 pick, as well as the rest of the top five selections: Ivar Stenberg of the San Jose Sharks, Caleb Malhotra of the Vancouver Canucks, Daxon Rudolph of the Buffalo Sabres and Alberts Smits of the New York Rangers. Adam and Mike also discuss some other highlights of the draft, including Liam Ruck to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ilia Morozov calling his shot with the Sabres and much more.

The 2026 NHL Draft is finally upon us, and to preview the big weekend in Buffalo, co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are joined by Jason Bukala, Sportsnet draft analyst and founder of The Pro Hockey Group. Who would Bukala, a former amateur scout with the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, take with the No. 1 pick? Is he completely set on Gavin McKenna? Or does he favor Ivar Stenberg? And how would he rank the top five defensemen available? Bukala shares some interesting viewpoints on those topics and several others.

It's time to look at the best prospects from the U.S. high schools, the NCAA and the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team as Pat Cullen from NHL Central Scouting joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. Pat discusses Wyatt Cullen's growth, Keaton Verhoeff's development at North Dakota and much more, including his thoughts on the top high school player in this year's draft class, Jayden Kurtz. Mike and Adam also play a game of Fact or Fiction.

The Ontario Hockey League is in the spotlight today with Nick Smith from NHL Central Scouting joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. Is Chase Reid the best defenseman in this year's draft class? Nick touches on that, as well as shares his thoughts on Brantford center Caleb Malhotra, Saginaw forward Nikita Klepov, Windsor forward Ethan Belchetz and more. Mike and Adam also discuss some highlights from the NHL Scouting Combine, and review their most recent mock drafts.

NHL Draft Class is live at the NHL Scouting Combine, and in the second of two special episodes, co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale sat down with Medicine Hat forwards Liam and Markus Ruck. The identical twins discuss stepping into a starring role this season following the departure of Gavin McKenna, what makes them similar and what makes them different, what it could be like to play on opposing teams and much more. Kimelman and Morreale also discuss the possibility of the same NHL team finding a way to select both brothers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and one of the people responsible for making that selection, Maple Leafs amateur scouting director Mark Leach, joined NHL Draft Class live at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. Leach discussed how big an impact it is having the No. 1 pick, how close the Maple Leafs will be to making a decision following their interviews at the combine, how his relationship with new Toronto general manager John Chayka is growing and more.

NHL Draft Class is live at the NHL Scouting Combine, and in the first of two special episodes, co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale talk to two of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 choice, discussed his first college season, dealing with the outside noise and his reaction to "The McKenna Project" documentary and much more. Ivar Stenberg, who could go No. 2, talked about his season in the Swedish Hockey League, being named one of Sweden's top three players at the IIHF World Championship, and more.

NHL Draft Class is getting ready for the NHL Scouting Combine with NHL Central Scouting associate director David Gregory. David discusses some additions to the combine testing protocol for the prospects that are attending, and also shares his thoughts on some of the top prospects for this year's draft, from Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg to Tynan Lawrence. He also answers an important question: Which of the many top defenseman available for this year's draft would he like to have for the next 10 years? Chase Reid? Albers Smits? Or someone else?

NHL Draft Class shines the spotlight on the top prospects in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with NHL Central Scouting senior eastern scout J-F Damphousse joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. What stood out about Quebec center Maddox Dagenais? How have Moncton's Tommy Bleyl and Blainville-Boisbriand's Xavier Villeneuve separated themselves in a loaded class of defensemen? J-F discusses those players and more. Adam and Mike also discuss the updated first-round draft order, the Memorial Cup and "The McKenna Project" documentary focused on Gavin McKenna.

NHL Draft Class shines the spotlight on the top prospects in the Western Hockey League with NHL Central Scouting senior western scout John Williams joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. What separated a loaded class of defensemen that includes Prince George's Carson Carels and Prince Albert's Daxon Rudolph? John also discusses what he likes about twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck, JP Hurlbert, and Mathis Preston and more.

NHL Draft Class shines the spotlight on the top International prospects with NHL Director of European Scouting J-P Vuorinen joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. What separated forward Ivar Stenberg and defenseman Alberts Smits at the top of the final rankings? And how soon could we see either of them in the NHL? J-P also discusses what he's liked about other top International players, including Oliver Suvanto, Viggo Bjorck, Elton Hermansson and more.

NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings of the top North American and International skaters and goalies, and Central Scouting director Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss the rankings, including how close the voting was on Gavin McKenna at No. 1, what the separation was between the top defensemen and much more.

NHL Central Scouting released its midseason rankings and the man in charge, Central Scouting director Dan Marr, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss all the details, from Gavin McKenna at No. 1, to three defensemen in the top six, and a look at the top player on the International skater list. We also talk about some news from the World Juniors, Tynan Lawrence's move to Boston University, and where the 2026 NHL Draft will be held.

The 2026 World Junior Championship is a holiday season staple, and the focus of the hockey world. NHL Draft Class previews the tournament and some of the top 2026 NHL Draft talent that will be playing in it with Steven Ellis from DailyFaceoff.com. Steven shares his opinions on who could win the tournament, what Gavin McKenna needs to show and what other 2026 draft prospects he'll be keeping a close eye on.

NHL Draft Class is on-site in Calgary for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and got to sit down with some of the future NHL stars, including Sarnia teammates Alessandro Di Iorio and Beckham Edwards. They talked about their seasons, what they like about each other as teammates, and see who could do better in a little trivia contest. Plus there's some discussion about the projected No. 1 pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, and his season so far.

NHL Draft Class returns for season No. 8, with NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to cover Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list. Marr discusses Penn State forward Gavin McKenna's wizardly skills, and has praise for several top prospects, among them Windsor forward Ethan Belchetz, Vancouver defenseman Ryan Lin, and North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff.

It's time to put a wrap on the 2025 NHL Draft, with Sam Cosentino of NHL Network and Sportsnet joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss which teams stood out, surprise selections and much more. They also preview the top players to watch for the 2026 NHL Draft, with forward Gavin McKenna and defenseman Keaton Verhoeff among the biggest names.

The first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft is in the books, and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale cover all aspects. They spoke with Matthew Schaefer moments after he was chosen by the New York Islanders with the No. 1 pick, as well as the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks and Anton Frondell of the Chicago Blackhawks. Adam and Mike also discuss their surprise selections, some of the most interesting teams and much more.

Pat Cullen of NHL Central Scouting joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top prospects from the United States Hockey League and U.S. high schools for the 2025 NHL Draft. Pat shares his opinions on several top prospects, including Madison linemates Ryker Lee and Mason Moe, Muskegon forward Ivan Ryabkin, and Edina High School forward Mason West, who could be "kind of the unicorn of the whole draft class." 

NHL Draft Class is back from the NHL Scouting Combine and focused on the best of the Ontario Hockey League, starting with Brampton forward Porter Martone, who discusses his season, being a captain and his favorite backyard goalie, Jeff. Co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale also talk to Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting to get his opinions on some of the top 2025 NHL Draft prospects from the OHL, including Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Jake O'Brien and more. There's also some mock draft talk. 

NHL Draft Class is back for another episode from the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. This time two of the top centers join the podcast, with Michael Misa of Saginaw and James Hagens of Boston College both saying how they feel they're ready to jump right into an NHL lineup next season. Misa also touches on the possibility of playing with his brother at Penn State, while Hagens discusses his hometown New York Islanders winning the NHL Draft Lottery, plus much more. 

NHL Draft Class is in Buffalo for the NHL Scouting Combine and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale kicked off the week by speaking with two of the top prospects for the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft, Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Brandon center Roger McQueen. Both players discussed their injury-riddled seasons, revealed how much of the combine fitness testing they will be taking part in, what they plan to tell the NHL teams they're meeting with, plus much more. 

The NHL Scouting Combine is one of the tentpole events on the way to the NHL Draft, and to talk about the 2025 Combine, NHL Central Scouting associate director David Gregory joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. Gregory discusses why Buffalo is the perfect site for one of the most important events of the draft season, and covers some of the top draft prospects, including Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Brandon center Roger McQueen and many more.

With the 2025 NHL Draft just one month away, NHL Central Scouting senior western scout John Williams joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top Western Hockey League prospects, including Seattle defenseman Radim Mrtka, Brandon center Roger McQueen, and Everett forward Carter Bear.

J-P Vuorinen, director of NHL European Scouting, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top International prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft, with special focus on the top two players, Djurgarden teammates Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund. There's also some talk about the upcoming NHL Scouting Combine, and an update on the order of selection for the first 28 picks in the first round of the draft.

It's time to discuss the best 2025 NHL Draft prospects in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, with NHL Central Scouting's J-F Damphousse joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. We get J-F's expert analysis on several top players, including Moncton forward Caleb Desnoyers, and the former NHL stars that Desnoyers reminds him of.

We're talking about the NHL Draft Lottery with Sportsnet draft expert Jason Bukala. What does he think the New York Islanders will do with the No. 1 pick? What about the San Jose Sharks at No. 2? And where do Porter Martone, James Hagens, Roger McQueen and more fit into the 2025 NHL Draft puzzle. Plus co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale discuss their post-lottery mock draft.

NHL Central Scouting's goalie guru, Al Jensen, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top goalies for the 2025 NHL Draft, including Joshua Ravensbergen of Prince George, Jack Ivankovic of Brampton, 2025 World Juniors hero Linards Feldbergs and more. There's also some news about the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery drawing.

NHL Central Scouting revealed its final rankings and Central Scouting director Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss them. Dan takes us inside the final meetings to tell us how Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer ended up at No. 1 among North American skaters, plus shares his opinion on Brampton forward Porter Martone, Barrie defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, Brandon forward Roger McQueen and more.

It's time for the first mock draft of the 2025 NHL Draft season and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale discuss who they think goes No. 1, which top-end center will be chosen first, where Roger McQueen lands and much more. They are also joined by Boston College head coach Greg Brown, who makes a case for why his player, forward James Hagens, should be the first player selected.

NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's midterm rankings of the top North American and International skaters and goalies. Dan takes us in the meeting room to cover why Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer is No. 1 on the list of North American skaters, gives an update on Brandon forward Roger McQueen, covers why Djurgarden forward Victor Eklund is No. 1 among International skaters and shares the scouting report on several other top 2025 NHL Draft prospects. 

Scott Harris, former director of amateur scouting operations, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss all the news coming out of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Harris shares his opinion on how some of the top NHL Draft-eligible players performed, including U.S. forward James Hagens, and forward Porter Martone and defenseman Matthew Schaefer for Canada, and how their play could affect their standing for the 2025 NHL Draft. They also discuss tournament surprises and the upcoming NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings. 

Merry World Juniors, everyone! NHL Draft Class co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are joined by FloHockey draft expert Chris Peters to get you ready for everything you need to know for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa. Among the topics covered are the potential impact of top 2025 NHL Draft prospects James Hagens for the United States and Porter Martone and Matthew Schaefer for Canada, if Schaefer can stake his claim to being the No. 1 pick of the draft, and of course, tournament predictions.

NHL Draft Class co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are back for Part 2 from the inaugural CHL USA Top Prospects Challenge in London and Oshawa, featuring some of the top players for the 2025 NHL Draft. Joining the show are two of the projected top-four picks, Brampton forward Porter Martone and Saginaw forward Michael Misa. They discuss their seasons, how they get away from the game, and each makes his case for why he should be the No. 1 pick of the 2025 draft. Co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale also share their thoughts on the World Junior selection camp rosters for Canada and the U.S.

NHL Draft Class co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are live at the inaugural CHL USA Top Prospects Challenge in London, Ontario with some of the top players for the 2025 NHL Draft. Joining the show are Erie teammates Matthew Schaefer and Malcolm Spence, who discuss several topics, ranging from their play on the ice to their dancing and singing abilities. It's a great chat with two of the top prospects for the 2025 draft.

NHL Draft Class kicks off its seventh season with Central Scouting director Dan Marr joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list. Dan shares his scouting reports on A-rated forwards James Hagens of Boston College, Porter Martone of Brampton, Michael Misa of Saginaw and more, plus gives you a surprising B-rated player to watch, one he compared to Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman. 

It's time to put a bow on the 2024 NHL Draft, and TSN director of scouting Craig Button is the perfect guest to wrap up all that happened at Sphere in Las Vegas, from the biggest moments to the surprises, and the experience of having the draft in one of the most unique buildings on the planet. Craig also gives his early prediction on who the top three players in the 2025 NHL Draft could be, and shares his opinion on potentially the next generational NHL player.

Adam and Mike recap the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft and discuss their favorite moments, biggest surprises and best stories of a memorable night in Las Vegas. They are joined by Macklin Celebrini, Beckett Sennecke, Cayden Lindstrom and Tij Iginla . The guys wrap the episode talking about the facts and figures of the first round and what teams stood out to them with the selections made.

The 2024 NHL Draft has finally arrived, and Sam Cosentino of NHL Network and Sportsnet joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to set up the big show at Sphere in Las Vegas. Cosentino gives his opinion on Macklin Celebrini's NHL future, what he would do if he was the Chicago Blackhawks making the No. 2 pick, if he would take Tij Iginla if he was making the choice for the Calgary Flames and much more.

Janne Vuorinen, chief European scout for NHL Central Scouting, joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top International prospects for the 2024 draft, including Nizhny Novgorod defenseman Anton Silayev and SKA St. Petersburg forward Ivan Demidov, each of whom could be selected in the top five. There's also talk about Vaxjo defenseman Leo Sahlin Wallenius, who could be the only Sweden-born player selected in the first round, and two Norway-born players who could go before him, Mora forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Valerenga defenseman Stian Solberg.

Nick Smith of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Ontario Hockey League, among them Saginaw defenseman Zayne Parekh, Oshawa forward Beckett Sennecke, and defenseman Sam Dickinson and forward Sam O'Reilly of London.

Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale sit down with top prospects Cayden Lindstrom (2:10), Zeev Buium (13:22) and Cole Eiserman (25:37). The guys get to know each prospect and discuss what makes each player special and highly rated prospects headed into this year's NHL Draft. Plus, find out where they project each guy goes as they reiterate their mock drafts. 

NHL Draft Class is at the 2024 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. Macklin Celebrini, expected to be the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, joined the show (4:55) to discuss his season, how his meetings with the San Jose Sharks have gone and what will go into his decision to turn pro or return to college for another season. Co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale also are joined by Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse (21:36), who talked about Celebrini, options with the No. 14 pick in the first round, how they are approaching the draft as a whole and more.

NHL Draft Class previews the upcoming NHL Scouting Combine with David Gregory of NHL Central Scouting, who shares his behind-the-scenes insight in how the Combine has grown, and his opinion on several top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft. Sportsnet draft expert Jason Bukala also is on the show to talk Combine, a potential Memorial Cup bump for a couple top draft prospects, a possible landing spot for U.S. NTDP forward Cole Eiserman and much more.

John Williams of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Western Hockey League, among them Medicine Hat forward Cayden Lindstrom, and what Hockey Hall of Fame member Lindstrom reminds him of. Williams also touches on forwards Berkly Catton of Spokane and Tij Iginla of Kelowna, Calgary defenseman Carter Yakemchuk and more. Plus the hosts touch on the order of selection being set for the first 28 picks of the first round of the draft.

Pat Cullen of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the United States Hockey League and USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, among them NTDP forward Cole Eiserman and defenseman Cole Hutson, Muskegon forwards Sasha Boisvert and Matvei Gridin, plus Pat's memories of watching projected No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini during his USHL time. 

With the San Jose Sharks winning the NHL Draft Lottery and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft, NHL Draft Class hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale go over their first mock draft, for the 16 teams in the lottery. They discuss the impact Macklin Celebrini is expected to have in San Jose, what the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks could do with the No. 2 and No. 3 pick respectively, and how the rest of the top half of the first round of the draft could shake out. 

J-F Damphousse of NHL Central Scouting joins hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top 2024 draft prospects from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, among them Chicoutimi right wing Maxim Masse, Rimouski defenseman Spencer Gill and Saint John left wing Eriks Mateiko. Adam and Mike also discuss the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery, to be held May 7.

Al Jensen, the goalie guru of NHL Central Scouting, joins the podcast to discuss the top goalies available, including Mikhail Yegorov of Omaha of the USHL and what pushed him up to No. 1 in Central Scouting's final ranking of North American goalies, Carter George from Owen Sound of the OHL, Lukas Matecha of Tri-City in the WHL and many more.