Beckham Edwards: NHL Draft Prospect

0:00It's April 24. You're listening to NHL News today, AI-powered coverage of your squad. Beckham Edwards, the 18-year-old center from London, Ontario, is gearing up for the 2026 NHL draft. At 6'1 and 181 pounds, he shoots left for the Sarnia sting in the OHL. He's ranked mid-pack across Scouts, 46 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, with others placing him from 31st to 68th. Coming off a solid rookie year, with 25 goals and 45 points, Edwards hit a plateau in his sophomore season, dipping under 20 goals, but still hitting 45 points total. His team struggled hard, landing the fourth pick in the upcoming OHL Priority Selection, which gives some context to the stalled production. Scouts rave about his pro-level shot. He releases it in seconds and picks corners like a vet plus top-not-talkie sense that keeps him positioned. Perfectly on the ice. He's physically strong, too, winning puck battles and driving the net.

1:04One analyst called him a smart support player, who just needs to elevate his game. Looking ahead, Edwards must boost consistency and output, aiming for 50-60 points next season. Highs last in the CHL, before heading to Notra. Dame, in 2027-28, his awards include Hlinka Gretzky-Brons, OHL's second-all rookie team, and U-17 World Hockey Challenge Gold. In his so-so center class, teams see middle-second round to third-round value here, a calculated risk with high-reward potential as a smart goal-scoring. Third line pivot down the line.