Predators select Dmitri Borichev No. 70 overall in 2026 NHL Draft
One of the best goaltending prospects overseas has heard his name called.
On Saturday, the Nashville Predators selected goaltender Dmitri Borichev, 17, with the 70th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Borichev is considered to be one of the best prospects between the pipes heading into this year’s draft. Daily Faceoff analyst Steven Ellis had the Russian netminder as the second-best goaltending prospect in his final rankings, 46th overall, while NHL Central Scouting had him listed as the No. 1 European goaltender.
The Vologda native is coming off his first full season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv’s junior team in the MHL, Russia’s top junior league. In 24 games, he posted a record of 12-8-3, with a 2.25 goals-against average, a .929 save percentage and three shutouts. While he failed to win his two starts in the playoffs, Borichev certainly played well, notching a 1.85 GAA and a .947 SV%.
Due to the IIHF’s ban on Russia competing in major international events, Borichev has had little chance to show his talents on the world stage, though he has played for the Russian U-16, U-17 and U-18 teams in recent years. He was named the Russian U-15 league’s top goaltender in 2023, helping the Lokomotiv reach the final.
Ellis notes that while Borichev had the potential to be a first-rounder, according to some scouts, he still has some work to do to prove he’s anywhere near ready for the NHL.
“Some consider Borchev to be the best goalie in the draft class,” Ellis wrote. “Teams love his 6-foot-3 frame and just how quick he is. He’s positionally sound, using his size to do the hard work. But he has quick enough hands and reflexes to get where he needs to be to make top stops. Notably, he played better when he faced more shots this year, and scouts love it. It’s always hard to judge MHL talent because the league can be a crapshoot at times, but many people love his technical abilities and play reads. Could Borchev go in the first round? Some scouts think so. I’m not convinced it’s wise to use a first-rounder on any goalie in this draft, though.”