Hidden Gems in the NHL Draft: Who Are the Next Talents?
The NHL draft always hides unexpected talents in late rounds, players who, over time, become important figures. Although the analysis and monitoring of teams are increasingly accurate, “diamonds in the rough” always emerge that defy expectations. The times when players like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Lundqvist, or Brett Hull were found in the last rounds are gone. However, the skill of shorter players seems to be a factor that leads them to be selected later. The current winner of the Calder Trophy, Lane Hutson, although he was selected in the 62nd position in 2022, proved that he deserved to be chosen much earlier.Some recent examples of late-round gems include Troy Terry (No. 148 in 2015), Andrew Mangiapane (No. 166, 2015), Jesper Bratt (No. 162, 2016), Brandon Hagel (No. 159, 2016), and Mark Stone (No. 178, 2010). In the selection process, they all generated doubts, whether due to their size, their skating, or the adaptation of their game to the NHL. However, each one exceeded expectations and represented their country internationally. The draft position does not define success, but the first picks have more opportunities, while those from later rounds must earn their place.
The common denominator in the success of a player selected in a late round is their excellence in at least one category. As an NHL executive said, “they possess a distinctive skill that sets them apart from the others”. This year, several players could become those diamonds in the rough. Generally, a player selected after the third round has less than a 3% chance of playing 200 games in the NHL, meaning only four or five players after the 96th pick will achieve this. The probability of that player making a significant impact, excluding goalies, is less than 1.5%. Although the odds are risky, some players in this class possess distinctive skills that could increase their chances.Featured Players with Potential
Cameron Schmidt, Right Wing, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Although Schmidt is better positioned in the public rankings, the NHL teams that have been spoken to do not see him the same way. Many scouts believe he will be selected between the third and fifth rounds due to his height, which is below the NHL average (5 feet 7 inches). However, Schmidt’s potential as a second-line scoring winger, similar to Alex Debrincat, should excite teams. His speed and elite shot are his greatest qualities. Schmidt is one of the best scorers available in the draft, with the ability to score in various ways: on the rush, with direct shots, near the net, and with a powerful release. He is likely to lead the CHL in goals in the next two seasons.Jacob Rombach, Defense, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
A nearly 6-foot-7-inch defenseman with imposing physical qualities and the potential to be a shutdown defender will be very attractive to teams. Rombach lacks the offensive skill that teams look for in their defensemen, but he has the potential to become a 4/5 level defender in the NHL. Defensively, he possesses one of the most complete skill sets in the draft. He has an impressive puck recovery ability, anticipating threats and escaping pressure situations. He uses head fakes to beat forwards and makes simple, efficient passes. If he improves his skating and physique, Rombach has the potential to be an effective defender who can kill penalties and play in secondary situations.David Bedkowski, Defense, Oshawa Generals (OH)
Traditional hockey lovers adore Bedkowski for his physical play. He is an imposing defenseman of almost 6 feet 5 inches and 215 pounds, the most punishing defenseman in the draft. He is one of the best defenders in the zone entry of the draft, and if he improves his ability to choose his moments of contact, he could become an effective defenseman on the bottom line. His potential is not high in terms of becoming a level 4/5 player, but teams need depth and brute force to win in the playoffs, and Bedkowski could become a defenseman who can reliably provide that.
Viktor Klingsell, LW, Skelleftea AIK (J20)
Another candidate to be a bargain in the final rounds is Klingsell. Although he didn’t produce at Jesper Bratt’s level in Sweden, he outperformed Bratt when they played against their peers. Given the similarity in height, high playmaking ability, and vision, it’s not surprising that some believe Klingsell could be a “Bratt lite” in the NHL. His main concern is his pace. Klingsell has an “all or nothing” type profile. If he succeeds, he will be a second-line offensive facilitator who records more than 50 assists each year. If not, he is likely to become a very good SHL player. That’s the kind of bet you make in the final rounds, especially when speed is the concern. But it’s much easier to develop skating and speed than to find a player with the natural offensive instincts and playmaking abilities that Klingsell possesses.
Filip Ekberg, LW, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
Another Swede with the potential to make a team very happy is the dual-threat forward Ekberg. The first half of the season was plagued by illness and a limited role. As the calendar progressed, Ekberg’s game took off, culminating in a standout performance in the U18s, where he scored 18 points in seven games and earned an invitation to Sweden’s summer team for the Junior World Championship. There are real reasons to believe that Ekberg is on the verge of a major scoring breakthrough in the OHL that would catapult his projection to a mid-level scorer in the NHL. Ekberg is a complete forward who anticipates and reads the game, facilitates the offense, and possesses an excellent shot. If he can improve his skating, he has all the characteristics of a smaller player who can succeed in the NHL, in a secondary scoring and power play role.Aidan Lane, RW, Saint Andrew’s College/Brampton Steelheads (OHL)
If it weren’t for a standout performance in the OHL at the end of the season, Lane’s projection in the NHL wouldn’t exist. The CHL/NCAA rule change allowed the Saint Andrew’s College graduate to play the last 13 games in Brampton, where he scored a point per game. It is very difficult to project high school players, as the sample size is limited. However, the high-performance winger seemed to be part of the role in a top-six role for Brampton. He has the opportunity to become a power winger in the bottom six at the NHL level, with his strength, physique, and his ability to generate offense. He was smooth in transition, was able to draw defenders towards him and make positive value plays. He was also able to use his physical package to dominate experienced OHL players. Lane has the motor, the physical tools and showed promising offensive tools that could make him a high-value pick beyond the fourth round. His speed and explosiveness will need to improve if he wants to effectively use his tools to pressure and create offense in a secondary role at the NHL level.
Given his chosen path to play in the NCAA at Harvard, he will have plenty of time to develop against the best amateur competition.L.J. Mooney, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
Another diminutive winger, Mooney is one of my personal favorites in the draft class. He’s a dynamic skater and gets fans out of their seats with his puck-handling ability. At 5-7, possessing multiple separation skills should be enough for a team to take a chance on him in the middle rounds. He’s a consistent player who attracts the viewer’s attention. His blistering speed is immediately noticeable, especially when combined with fantastic puck skills. There’s real potential for him to become a transition nightmare for defensemen. For that to happen, Mooney will need to improve his ability to facilitate offense and read the game. He needs to use his elite skating and puck skills to attack the center of the ice and create high-danger scoring chances. Given his size and the doubts about his playmaking ability, he’s close to being an all-or-nothing player. However, many players with that level of skill don’t possess the engine and internal motivation to compete. Mooney leaves no doubt about his willingness to compete given his fearless play, consistent pace, and willingness to play on both sides of the puck. If a team has multiple second or third-round picks and lacks a dynamic skater, as well as someone who can be a legitimate contributor, the Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, and Detroit Red Wings are in this boat, Mooney is worth it.
