NHL Draft Risers: 5 Prospects Shaking Up Rankings

0:00On April 26th, NHL Draftbuzz is heating up for 2026, with prospects making big jumps this season. Five standouts have boosted their stock, Tommy Blale on defense for Monkton in the QMJ HL, racking up 81 points as a rookie in 63. Games, Oscar Heming, left wing at Boston College, turned heads after a slow start. Then there is Moxime Sakalowski, a monster defenseman in London of the OHL, Blake Zelinsky, centering for Des Moines in the USHL, and Alexander. But like you defending for Kitchener in the OHL, Blale's still lighting it up in playoffs, over a point per game, with smooth skating and sharp passes that create space. Heming missed the first half over a dispute back in Finland, but exploded at the Beanpot tournament, showing size, power, and puck protection scouts. Say top 10 potential next year. Meanwhile, Sakalowski, at 6 foot 7 and 238 pounds, earned a bigger role late season,

1:00hitting hard and owning the penalty. Kill. Zelinsky shook off a slow start after the World Junior Challenge, flashing smart offense despite weak limates, and he's headed to Providence College. By Lecky's a putt moving defenseman with untapped offense, just needs to bulk up for more impact. These risers are shaking up rankings, especially with playoffs underway, and expectations rising for next season. Keep watching these names. They're climbing fast and could reshape draft boards come June. That's the story for today, in HL News Today, driven by AI.