2026 NHL Draft: Top five late-round sleepers

Jun 16, 2026, 08:20 EDTUpdated: Jun 16, 2026, 08:21 EDT

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

With our final NHL Draft board coming this week, you’re going to meet more than 100 of the top prospects set to live out their dreams.

But what about those who didn’t make the cut? It’s almost always more interesting to see which players projected to go late could end up being steals. There are always a few each year who defy the odds outside the top 100. And that’s what makes watching these players develop so fascinating, because so much can change at any given time.

For this exercise, I included players I previously ranked outside my top 100 and who won’t appear in my final rankings later this week. Prospects I expect to go much lower than I ranked them include right-handed defender Axel Elofsson (small but so skilled) and center Wiggo Sörensson (fearless but didn’t consistently face tough competition). There will definitely be a few players who fall farther and maybe even some who go unselected. Regardless, I like the five players listed below enough to still believe in them.

Here’s a look at five players you’ll likely find in the later rounds – if they are drafted at all – who could turn out to be decent value picks if they can round their games out:

Dayne Beuker, C (USNTDP)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 76th NA

From texting people during the U-18s and the USA All-American Game – two of the top showcase events – Beuker’s name was consistently brought up. He finished the U-18s with a point-per-game average but was also one of the better backcheckers. Beuker forced his way into a top-line role and played quite well every single night – it was surprising he didn’t score more. Beuker is an excellent playmaker, but he also plays with a ton of energy and boasts some of the best hockey sense on the USNTDP squad. He’s not the biggest forward, but he’s smart and makes so many calculated decisions with the puck. Beuker is a bit undersized, but I think his hockey sense will interest teams.

The incoming Lethbridge Hurricanes forward doesn’t have a true game-breaking skill, which means his lack of size and low-end speed will hurt him. But I absolutely love his work ethic, and that alone intrigues me. We’ve seen some USNTDP players leave the program after two years and find their groove elsewhere. I could see that being the case here because he feels like a coach’s dream. You can play him with anyone and he’ll find a way to make it work. I don’t expect him to ever be a playdriver, but if he can continue to work on adding more speed to his game, I could see him being a useful, 200-foot center who gives it his all every shift.

Šimon Katolický, LW (Tappara, Finland U-20)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 21st EU

At one point, Katolický looked like a potential first-round pick. He’s a 6-foot-4 winger who looked great against his age group last year, putting up some of the best numbers in the Finnish U-18 junior league. But between underwhelming numbers in the Finnish U-20 ranks and some near-invisible performances with Czechia internationally, Katolický looks more like a late-round selection, at best. Unfortunately, Katolický fell flat again at the U-18s with just one goal in six games. In the end, it was simply too difficult to defend his lack of impact.

But I’m not giving up on him. Given his size, he needs to focus on using his muscles to win more battles. He has a good shot, and he’s not afraid to fire it from anywhere when he’s confident. But when he looks a little out of sorts, he can be a bit too timid. He’s set to join the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, returning to the city where he impressed scouts at the 2024 U-17 World Challenge. I like his speed, and he has some legit upside in multiple areas. Maybe a fresh start will boost his confidence and thrust him back into the limelight. I hope so, because I know a lot of Czech fans were really high on him at one point, and he does show flashes of raw talent.

Domán Kristóf Szongoth, C (KooKoo, Finland U-20)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 40th EU

It was hard to stand out on Hungary’s national team at the recent IIHF Men’s World Championship. But Szongoth – the youngest player on the team at 17 – was easily one of the top players every single night. I like him because he’s fearless, but he also knows when it’s better to trail back and look for a second opportunity. He plays a reliable two-way game and has a strong 6-foot-1, 198-pound base to work with. He doesn’t lose many physical battles in front of the net, and he absolutely punished opponents on a consistent basis in the Finnish U-20 league.

There have been four Hungarians selected in NHL history, but none of them ever made the NHL. Former Anaheim Ducks/Phoenix Coyotes forward Frank Banham was born in Calahoo, Alta., but would go on to represent Hungary internationally after spending enough time with Fehérvár AV19. So Szongoth has the potential to become the first true Hungarian to reach the NHL, and I really think he can make it happen. I truly believe his World Championship play opened some eyes.

Tobiáš Tvrzník, G (Wenatchee Wild, WHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 8th NA G

It’s easy to like Tvrzník. He was a relatively unknown keeper playing Czech U-20 hockey last year. Yet, by November, Tvrzník had already established himself as one of the most promising goaltending prospects in the draft. While his record might not be the most attractive in the WHL, he was the Wild’s top player most nights. The team struggled to win consistently, but Tvrzník was often the reason why the team managed to steal some wins along the way. He went 3-2-2 when making at least 40 saves this year, which is incredible – he stole more than a handful of games overall. His 60-save performance against Everett back in September was a true highlight of the campaign.

At 6-foot-4, Tvrzník has the size teams crave. He also proved he can clearly handle pressure with ease, and many scouts like guys who can handle a heavy workload at a young age. It shows you can be a difference-maker when there isn’t much to work with. Tvrzník’s athleticism is already high-end, although he lacks high-end speed in the crease. He’s also prone to some ugly rebounds, but that’s something an NHL goalie coach can figure out. Overall, there’s a great base here, and teams should absolutely be taking a close look at him this year.

Jonas Woo, RHD (Medicine Hat Tigers, WHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 179th NA

Turning 20 in November, Woo is one of the older prospects in this class. And, frankly, he’s one of the more intriguing smaller defenders around. He was always a decent puck-mover, but he had just 77 points combined in the two prior seasons. So to finish with nearly 90 this year was absolutely bonkers. At 19, he’s an older prospect and currently in his last year of draft eligibility. Being 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds doesn’t help (his brother, Jett, is also an undersized defender), which is why Jonas hasn’t been selected yet.

That being said, a team could definitely take a chance on him later this year. He’s an incredible skater – that’s his best trait, no question about it. He also boasts a powerful shot for a defender lacking true muscle. I think he’s excellent at dishing the puck into danger areas, and he’s as creative as they come. If he’s not selected, look for teams to keep a close eye on his Arizona State University career – he could become one of the more fascinating NCAA UFAs down the line if he proves he can continue the scoring streak alive against older competition.

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