Earlier this month I published my top 10 picks for the upcoming draft, which I have attached. To continue with that theme is my projection of picks 11-20 in Buffalo:
(11) Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 (SHL): Gustaffsson possesses excellent size, skating ability, and vision, and is extremely physical. Although not overly O-minded, he definitely has the skill to contribute offensively.
(12) Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (SM Liiga Jr.): Suvanto emulates his game after Florida’s Sasha Barkov, and possesses many similar qualities: size, strength, and excellent two-way ability. Adding quickness to good speed is likely to come with further development.
(13) Alexander Command, C, Orebro HK U20 (SWE Jr.): Command tore up Sweden’s top junior league this season, earning a promotion to the SHL at year end. Command started the season as a projected 6th-rounder, which left me scratching my head when watching him dominate at the World Jr. A Challenge earlier this year.
(14) Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough (OHL): A do-it-all left-shot forward who can play either wing effectively, Novotny works just as hard on D as on O. Also, he uses excellent strength and skating ability to dominate both sides of the puck.
(15) Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL): Great hands complement exceptional power-forward style size and a nasty edge. Will continue to develop his skill at Michigan State University this fall.
(16) Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA): Exceptional edge work highlights Lawrence’s elite skating ability, and has the work ethic to match. Also, he averaged over a point per game for Team Canada at the U18 WJC.
(17) Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA): Hemming is dogged on the forecheck, and established himself as a two-way threat while being the youngest player in college hockey. Hemming skates well, and separation speed hopefully will come with more development.
(18) Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL): The undersized Villeneuve makes up for his slight frame with Lane Hutson-like qualities: excellent edge work, elite puck skills, and effectiveness in the D zone with great body positioning.
(19) Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver (WHL): Lin is slightly undersized like Villeneuve, but uses exceptional edge work and vision to average over a point per game at the CHL level.
(20) Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL): Ruck finished second in the WHL in scoring behind brother Markus with 45 goals and 104 points. Uses a lethally quick release to score from anywhere, and possesses the vision to make plays for his teammates as well.
https://thehockeylawyer.net/2026/06/08/6-8-26-my-top-10-mock-picks-in-the-2026-draft/