
Carson Carels Emerges as a Top Defensive Prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft
A look at the attributes and early draft projections that have placed Carson Carels among the most anticipated blue‑liners of the 2026 class.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Carson Carels across Hockey.

A look at the attributes and early draft projections that have placed Carson Carels among the most anticipated blue‑liners of the 2026 class.

A panel of Hockey Show analysts combined their expertise to produce a consensus top‑10 ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft, highlighting standout performances and future possibilities.

With the draft less than three weeks away, analysts from The Athletic break down the Canucks’ options, emphasizing Caleb Malhotra’s two‑way game and the potential impact of other prospects.

The New York Rangers hold the No. 5 selection in the upcoming NHL draft and are evaluating top defensive prospects whose backgrounds range from collegiate commitments to early NHL exposure.

Analysts predict the Toronto Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna first, with San Jose, Vancouver and Chicago following suit, while a host of prospects prepare for their NHL futures.

Forward Keaton Verhoeff's blend of skill, character and power‑play potential has positioned him as a leading candidate for Chicago's fourth overall selection.

A look at the deep pool of defensemen, the leading candidates, and the complex decision‑making that will shape the 2026 draft.

The San Jose Sharks are poised to select a defenseman at the second overall spot in the 2026 NHL Draft, with Chase Reid and Carson Carels among the leading candidates. A recent team dinner with six prospects has sparked speculation about a league‑wide interest in the club's drafting approach.
With the second overall pick looming, the San Jose Sharks are courting top defensive prospects from the University of North Dakota, inviting them to dinner at the NHL Combine as part of an aggressive scouting push.

A surge of Canadian players from the Western Hockey League are announcing college destinations, reshaping the upcoming NCAA landscape.
Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels, both UND defensemen, are projected top‑10 picks, while Ethan MacKenzie and Cooper Williams also receive invites to the NHL Combine in Buffalo, N.Y.

With a surplus of wingers and defensemen, the Flyers are poised to leverage their assets to climb the draft rankings and secure the highly touted center.

Landon DuPont, a projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, is considering Michigan, Michigan State and the University of Minnesota Gophers, with his girlfriend’s studies in Mankato and a close friendship with Gophers recruit Tarin Smith influencing his final pick.

The San Jose Sharks are poised to reshuffle their draft strategy, weighing trade‑back for defensive help or a star‑for‑pick deal that could alter the roster's balance.
Bauer Dumanski, a 6‑foot‑2, 211‑pound defenseman who spent five seasons with the Prince George Cougars, has officially committed to the University of North Dakota for the upcoming college hockey season, bringing size, defensive skill and a plan to transition from the family farm to Grand Forks.

Ryan Lin, an 18-year-old defenseman for the Vancouver WHL club, has been highlighted as one of the top North American skaters ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. His standout season, historic milestone and upcoming collegiate step mark a rapid ascent.
Prince George Cougars captain Bauer Dumanski has pledged to join the University of North Dakota for the 2026‑27 season, bringing his defensive prowess to the Fighting Hawks.
Prince George Cougars captain Bauer Dumanski has pledged to play for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the 2026‑27 season, bringing a seasoned left‑handed defenseman to a blue line that is already packed with youthful talent.

Carson Carels, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, has pledged to join the University of North Dakota, bringing a strong defensive pedigree to a program that captured a Penrose Cup and a Frozen Four appearance.

Seventeen‑year‑old Carson Carels, a WHL standout, has pledged to join the University of North Dakota, bringing elite defensive talent to a program that captured the Penrose Cup and reached the Frozen Four last season.

Seventeen‑year‑old Carson Carels, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, has pledged to play college hockey at the University of North Dakota, setting the stage for a potentially historic defensive lineup.

With the NHL Draft approaching, the Seattle Kraken are poised to break their recent pattern of selecting centers, eyeing Swedish forward Viggo Björck as a potential catalyst for a new direction.