Building for the Future
While there may not have been a first-round headline selection, this year's draft was all about finding value throughout the late rounds. Rather than chasing flashy names, management focused on adding players with projectable upside, strong hockey IQ, and the potential to fill important roles in the organization over the coming seasons. The result is a balanced draft class featuring a right-shot and left-shot defensemen, a skilled center, a promising goaltender, a scoring winger, and another mobile defenseman to round out the group.
Several of these prospects will need time before they're ready to contribute at the professional level, but each brings an intriguing skill set that could translate well if their development continues. Whether it's offensive creativity, defensive reliability, or long-term positional value, this class gives the organization several players worth watching.
5th Round – Caeden Herrington | Right Defense (RHD)
Selecting Caeden Herrington in the fifth round could prove to be one of the better value picks of the draft. Right-shot defensemen are always in demand, and Herrington possesses many of the tools teams look for in modern NHL defenders. He moves the puck efficiently, makes intelligent decisions under pressure, and has shown the ability to contribute in all three zones without trying to do too much. His steady style may not generate headlines, but it often translates well as players climb the ranks.
Herrington's upside lies in becoming a dependable top-four defenseman capable of handling significant even-strength and penalty-killing minutes. If his skating continues to improve and he adds strength, he has the potential to become a reliable two-way defender who can match up against quality competition while providing secondary offensive production. Finding that type of player in the fifth round would represent tremendous value.
Position: Right Defense (RHD)
Upside: Reliable top-four two-way defenseman.
5th Round – Alexis Mathieu | Left Defense (LHD)
The second fifth-round selection addressed the left side of the blue line with Alexis Mathieu, a defenseman who offers a well-rounded game and plenty of developmental upside. Mathieu has built a reputation for playing with poise, making smart reads, and using his mobility to close gaps effectively. While he may not be an elite offensive producer, he consistently makes the simple, effective play that coaches appreciate.
His long-term projection depends largely on how much offensive confidence he develops, but the defensive foundation is already in place. If Mathieu can continue refining his puck-moving ability and become more assertive joining the rush, he projects as a dependable top-four defenseman capable of logging difficult defensive assignments. At worst, he has the tools to carve out a lengthy career as a reliable bottom-four defender.
Position: Left Defense (LHD)
Upside: Steady top-four defensive defenseman.
6th Round – Theo Rochette | Center (C)
Theo Rochette was an intriguing addition in the sixth round, bringing valuable experience, offensive instincts, and leadership qualities to the organization. Rochette has consistently demonstrated excellent vision and playmaking ability throughout his development, relying on intelligence and positioning rather than overwhelming physical tools. He processes the game quickly and has the skill to create opportunities for his linemates.
While his ceiling may not be that of a franchise center, Rochette projects as the type of player who could become an effective middle-six contributor capable of playing in all situations. His versatility allows him to move throughout the lineup, contribute on the power play, and provide dependable minutes when injuries arise. Finding that level of hockey sense this late in the draft gives the organization another quality project down the middle.
Position: Center (C)
Upside: Smart middle-six playmaking center.
6th Round – Josh Fleming | Goaltender (G)
Every successful organization needs depth between the pipes, and Josh Fleming represents an exciting long-term project in goal. Goaltenders often require more patience than skaters, making sixth-round selections particularly attractive when teams believe in a player's athletic tools and development curve. Fleming possesses solid reflexes, competes hard in the crease, and has shown flashes of making difficult saves look routine.
His biggest challenge moving forward will be refining his consistency and continuing to improve his technical game. If those areas come together, Fleming has the potential to develop into a dependable NHL-caliber goaltender capable of handling a significant workload. While goaltenders are notoriously difficult to project, the payoff can be substantial if development goes according to plan.
Position: Goaltender (G)
Upside: Potential NHL quality backup.
7th Round – Hayden Stavroff | Right Wing (RW)
Seventh-round picks are often about identifying hidden upside, and Hayden Stavroff certainly fits that description. The winger brings an energetic style of play, a willingness to attack open ice, and a competitive motor that allows him to remain involved throughout games. Players with his work ethic frequently outperform where they were selected, especially if their offensive confidence continues to grow.
Stavroff's offensive game still has room to develop, but the foundation is encouraging. If he continues improving his finishing ability and puck skills, he could eventually become a valuable bottom-six winger capable of adding secondary scoring and relentless forechecking pressure. Those are the types of players championship teams rely upon, making him an interesting late-round gamble.
Position: Right Wing (RW)
Upside: High-energy middle-to-bottom-six winger with secondary scoring ability.
7th Round – Luca Fantilli | Left Defense (LHD)
The draft concluded with another investment on the blue line by selecting Luca Fantilli in the seventh round. Fantilli is a defenseman whose greatest strength lies in his mobility and skating, giving him the ability to keep pace with today's faster game. He moves well laterally, retrieves pucks efficiently, and has shown flashes of contributing offensively when opportunities present themselves.
Like many late-round defensemen, Fantilli remains a longer-term project, but the raw tools are intriguing. If he can add strength, continue developing his decision-making, and become more consistent in his own zone, he has the potential to exceed expectations. Even if he ultimately settles into a depth role, mobile defensemen with puck-moving ability always carry value throughout an organization.
Position: Left Defense (LHD)
Upside: Mobile puck-moving defenseman with middle-pairing potential.
Final Thoughts
This draft class may not feature a star, but it is one built around depth, positional balance, and long-term development. The organization added three defensemen who each bring different strengths, addressed its need in goal, and supplemented the forward group with intelligent, hardworking players capable of filling important roles.
Ultimately, the success of this class will depend on development over the next several seasons. If even two or three of these prospects reach their projected ceilings, this draft could quietly become one of the stronger value classes in recent memory. For now, the organization has laid a solid foundation with players who possess legitimate upside well beyond where they were selected.