Earlier I published my top 20 picks for the upcoming draft, which I have attached (top 10 on June 8, 11-20 on June 23). To continue with that theme is my ranking of picks 21-32 in Buffalo:
(21) Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw (OHL): Sky-high hockey IQ; led OHL in scoring as a 17-year-old with 97 points (37G 60A).
(22) Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown (USHL): Great two-way player with solid edge-work & body positioning.
(23) Juho Piiparinen, D, Tappara (SM Liiga Jr): Defensively sound puck-mover never caught out of position.
(24) Elton Hermansson, RW/LW, MoDo Hockey (Hockey Allsvenskan): Great puck skills & high-end speed, but inconsistent.
(25) Tommy Bleyl, D, Moncton (QMJHL): Highly-skilled offensive d-man who can QB a power-play.
(26) Mathis Preston, C, Vancouver (WHL): Slotted him as a pivot but plays all 3 forward spots with pace & high compete level.
(27) Ilia Morozov, C, Miami (Ohio) University (NCAA): Excellent-sized pivot who carried play at times despite youth.
(28) Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec (QMJHL): Power forward with high-end processing ability.
(29) Casey Mutryn, RW, USNTDP (USHL): Power forward who happily engages in physical play.
(30) Markus Ruck, C, Medicine Hat (WHL): Led WHL in scoring with 108 points, 87 of which were assists for elite playmaker.
(31) JP Hurlbert, LW, Kamloops (WHL): Highly intelligent creator with other-worldly puck skills.
(32) Matias Vanhanen, LW, Everett (WHL): Can score from anywhere, and possesses a nasty edge.
https://thehockeylawyer.net/2026/06/08/6-8-26-my-top-10-mock-picks-in-the-2026-draft/