NHL Draft Class

National Hockey League

Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale of @nhldotcom are your go-to resources on the NHL Draft. From ranking top prospects and dissecting team needs to chatting with scouts and executives and conducting mock drafts, NHL Draft Class provides comprehensive and exclusive coverage of the NHL Draft that can’t be found anywhere else.

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152 episodes
Updated June 30

Episodes152

Newest first

June 30 · 42 min
Craig Button, TSN; 2026 Draft Wrap-Up, 2027 Draft Look-Ahead
It's time to put a wrap on the 2026 NHL Draft, as TSN director of scouting Craig Button joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss all the happenings during the two days in Buffalo, from Gavin McKenna's selection with the No. 1 pick, to Daxon Rudolph being the first defenseman chosen, surprise picks and much more. Craig also previews the top players to watch for the 2027 NHL Draft, with defenseman Landon DuPont and forwards Carter Meyer, Alexis Joseph, Nazar Privalov and Dimian Zhilkin among the biggest names.
June 27 · 37 min
Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, Caleb Malhotra, Daxon Rudolph, Alberts Smits; NHL Draft First-Round Recap
The first round of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft is in the books, and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale cover all aspects. They spoke with Gavin McKenna moments after he was chosen by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the No. 1 pick, as well as the rest of the top five selections: Ivar Stenberg of the San Jose Sharks, Caleb Malhotra of the Vancouver Canucks, Daxon Rudolph of the Buffalo Sabres and Alberts Smits of the New York Rangers. Adam and Mike also discuss some other highlights of the draft, including Liam Ruck to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ilia Morozov calling his shot with the Sabres and much more.
June 23 · 39 min
Jason Bukala, Sportsnet draft analyst; 2026 NHL Draft preview
The 2026 NHL Draft is finally upon us, and to preview the big weekend in Buffalo, co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale are joined by Jason Bukala, Sportsnet draft analyst and founder of The Pro Hockey Group. Who would Bukala, a former amateur scout with the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, take with the No. 1 pick? Is he completely set on Gavin McKenna? Or does he favor Ivar Stenberg? And how would he rank the top five defensemen available? Bukala shares some interesting viewpoints on those topics and several others.
June 17 · 32 min
Pat Cullen, NHL Central Scouting; Best of the U.S. West
It's time to look at the best prospects from the U.S. high schools, the NCAA and the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team as Pat Cullen from NHL Central Scouting joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. Pat discusses Wyatt Cullen's growth, Keaton Verhoeff's development at North Dakota and much more, including his thoughts on the top high school player in this year's draft class, Jayden Kurtz. Mike and Adam also play a game of Fact or Fiction.
June 10 · 24 min
Nick Smith, NHL Central Scouting; Top OHL prospects
The Ontario Hockey League is in the spotlight today with Nick Smith from NHL Central Scouting joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. Is Chase Reid the best defenseman in this year's draft class? Nick touches on that, as well as shares his thoughts on Brantford center Caleb Malhotra, Saginaw forward Nikita Klepov, Windsor forward Ethan Belchetz and more. Mike and Adam also discuss some highlights from the NHL Scouting Combine, and review their most recent mock drafts.
June 5 · 22 min
NHL Scouting Combine Part III: Liam and Markus Ruck join
NHL Draft Class is live at the NHL Scouting Combine, and in the second of two special episodes, co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale sat down with Medicine Hat forwards Liam and Markus Ruck. The identical twins discuss stepping into a starring role this season following the departure of Gavin McKenna, what makes them similar and what makes them different, what it could be like to play on opposing teams and much more. Kimelman and Morreale also discuss the possibility of the same NHL team finding a way to select both brothers.
June 4 · 18 min
NHL Scouting Combine Part II: Mark Leach, Toronto Maple Leafs amateur scouting director
The Toronto Maple Leafs have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and one of the people responsible for making that selection, Maple Leafs amateur scouting director Mark Leach, joined NHL Draft Class live at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo. Leach discussed how big an impact it is having the No. 1 pick, how close the Maple Leafs will be to making a decision following their interviews at the combine, how his relationship with new Toronto general manager John Chayka is growing and more.
June 3 · 32 min
NHL Scouting Combine Part I: Gavin McKenna & Ivar Stenberg
NHL Draft Class is live at the NHL Scouting Combine, and in the first of two special episodes, co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale talk to two of the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 choice, discussed his first college season, dealing with the outside noise and his reaction to "The McKenna Project" documentary and much more. Ivar Stenberg, who could go No. 2, talked about his season in the Swedish Hockey League, being named one of Sweden's top three players at the IIHF World Championship, and more.
May 28 · 29 min
David Gregory, NHL Central Scouting; NHL Scouting Combine preview
NHL Draft Class is getting ready for the NHL Scouting Combine with NHL Central Scouting associate director David Gregory. David discusses some additions to the combine testing protocol for the prospects that are attending, and also shares his thoughts on some of the top prospects for this year's draft, from Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg to Tynan Lawrence. He also answers an important question: Which of the many top defenseman available for this year's draft would he like to have for the next 10 years? Chase Reid? Albers Smits? Or someone else?
May 21 · 28 min
JF Damphousse, NHL Central Scouting; Top QMJHL prospects
NHL Draft Class shines the spotlight on the top prospects in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with NHL Central Scouting senior eastern scout J-F Damphousse joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. What stood out about Quebec center Maddox Dagenais? How have Moncton's Tommy Bleyl and Blainville-Boisbriand's Xavier Villeneuve separated themselves in a loaded class of defensemen? J-F discusses those players and more. Adam and Mike also discuss the updated first-round draft order, the Memorial Cup and "The McKenna Project" documentary focused on Gavin McKenna.
May 15 · 32 min
John Williams, NHL Central Scouting; Top Western Hockey League prospects
NHL Draft Class shines the spotlight on the top prospects in the Western Hockey League with NHL Central Scouting senior western scout John Williams joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. What separated a loaded class of defensemen that includes Prince George's Carson Carels and Prince Albert's Daxon Rudolph? John also discusses what he likes about twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruck, JP Hurlbert, and Mathis Preston and more.
May 4 · 26 min
J-P Vuorinen, NHL Director of European Scouting; Top International Prospects
NHL Draft Class shines the spotlight on the top International prospects with NHL Director of European Scouting J-P Vuorinen joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale. What separated forward Ivar Stenberg and defenseman Alberts Smits at the top of the final rankings? And how soon could we see either of them in the NHL? J-P also discusses what he's liked about other top International players, including Oliver Suvanto, Viggo Bjorck, Elton Hermansson and more.
April 16 · 33 min
Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting; Final Rankings
NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings of the top North American and International skaters and goalies, and Central Scouting director Dan Marr joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss the rankings, including how close the voting was on Gavin McKenna at No. 1, what the separation was between the top defensemen and much more.
January 12 · 35 min
Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting; Midterm Rankings
NHL Central Scouting released its midseason rankings and the man in charge, Central Scouting director Dan Marr, joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss all the details, from Gavin McKenna at No. 1, to three defensemen in the top six, and a look at the top player on the International skater list. We also talk about some news from the World Juniors, Tynan Lawrence's move to Boston University, and where the 2026 NHL Draft will be held.
Dec 23, 2025 · 35 min
Steven Ellis, DailyFaceoff.com; World Junior Championship preview
The 2026 World Junior Championship is a holiday season staple, and the focus of the hockey world. NHL Draft Class previews the tournament and some of the top 2026 NHL Draft talent that will be playing in it with Steven Ellis from DailyFaceoff.com. Steven shares his opinions on who could win the tournament, what Gavin McKenna needs to show and what other 2026 draft prospects he'll be keeping a close eye on.
Nov 26, 2025 · 21 min
Alessandro Di Iorio & Beckham Edwards of Sarnia; CHL USA Prospects Challenge
NHL Draft Class is on-site in Calgary for the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, and got to sit down with some of the future NHL stars, including Sarnia teammates Alessandro Di Iorio and Beckham Edwards. They talked about their seasons, what they like about each other as teammates, and see who could do better in a little trivia contest. Plus there's some discussion about the projected No. 1 pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, and his season so far.
Oct 20, 2025 · 37 min
Dan Marr, NHL Central Scouting; Preliminary players to watch list
NHL Draft Class returns for season No. 8, with NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to cover Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list. Marr discusses Penn State forward Gavin McKenna's wizardly skills, and has praise for several top prospects, among them Windsor forward Ethan Belchetz, Vancouver defenseman Ryan Lin, and North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff.
Jul 7, 2025 · 27 min
Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet; 2025 draft wrap-up, 2026 draft look-ahead
It's time to put a wrap on the 2025 NHL Draft, with Sam Cosentino of NHL Network and Sportsnet joining co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss which teams stood out, surprise selections and much more. They also preview the top players to watch for the 2026 NHL Draft, with forward Gavin McKenna and defenseman Keaton Verhoeff among the biggest names.
Jun 28, 2025 · 31 min
First Round Recap: Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa & Anton Frondell join
The first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft is in the books, and co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale cover all aspects. They spoke with Matthew Schaefer moments after he was chosen by the New York Islanders with the No. 1 pick, as well as the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, Michael Misa of the San Jose Sharks and Anton Frondell of the Chicago Blackhawks. Adam and Mike also discuss their surprise selections, some of the most interesting teams and much more.
Jun 18, 2025 · 26 min
Pat Cullen, NHL Central Scouting; Top USHL & high school prospects
Pat Cullen of NHL Central Scouting joins co-hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to discuss some of the top prospects from the United States Hockey League and U.S. high schools for the 2025 NHL Draft. Pat shares his opinions on several top prospects, including Madison linemates Ryker Lee and Mason Moe, Muskegon forward Ivan Ryabkin, and Edina High School forward Mason West, who could be "kind of the unicorn of the whole draft class."