J.P. Hurlbert: NHL Draft's Dark Horse

0:00On March 26, the 2026 NHL draft class has been all about Gavin McKenna, but J.P. Herbert is changing that talk fast. This Texas-born forward jumped from the U.S. national team development program to the Camloops Blazers and lit up the Western hockey league as a rookie. In 68 games, he scored 42 goals with 55 assists for 97 points, landing fourth in league scoring overall. As the regular season ends, Herbert heads into playoffs as Camloops' top gun. They face the Colona Rockets in the first round, and his production has him leading all rookies in goals and points. He even grabbed Western hockey league player of the month, honors for September and October. Scouts rave about his NHL-ready shot, and Sharp hockey scents that lets him spot openings early. He reads plays well on both ends and handles the puck smoothly to set up teammates. That said, his skating lacks top speed, and he can get pushed around at times, which might limit him without improvements.

1:00His game projects as a middle-six-winger who boosts power plays, with upside-to-hit 30 goals if he bulks up defensively. Experts see him as a first-round lock. Maybe top 15, thanks to that pure scoring threat. Herbert's already committed to the University of Michigan next season after playoffs and the draft, keeping his rise in the spotlight as this draft. Scouts get even more exciting. NHL news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters on and off the field. I'm Corey with The Story.