Wild hold five picks, plus a look at local high school players
who could get their name called

by T.R. Holler, Let’s Play Hockey

The 2026 NHL Draft is universally agreed upon as a ‘depth draft’ with a handful of interchangeable stars available in the top one-third of the first round. And then, the proverbial cliff. However, it is not a steep drop, and should prove a rich draft for middle round depth (3^rd-5^th rds.) with a few late gems in the latter 6^th – 7^throunds. Finding those slow burn gems is the true art of scouting.

Locally, we might see more Minnesotans taken in this ’26 draft than last year’s draft, albeit without the surprise 1^st rd. pick of Edina’s Mason West by the Chicago Blackhawks. For those who love the potential homer angle of a Minny kid being selected by the Wild, the chances are higher this year as the Wild won’t even engage the ’26 draft until Round 3 with the 89^th pick followed by picks in rounds 4, 5 (2), and 6 – totaling five picks as the Wild lack a 7^th rd. pick due to acquisition of defenseman Jeff Petry.

Exciting? Early on, for the Wild, that’s debatable, however, considering LW, Kirill Kaprizov was a 5^th rd. selection you can find gems in those 3^rd-5^th rounds, especially if your Euro scouts are contributing to the macro plan for two-way grinders with size, components the Wild desire in long overdue fashion. As of this article’s published date there is no definitive hire to replace recently departed Director of Amateur Scouting, Judd Brackett, so its presumed this will be a team effort falling on the shoulders of Matt Sells and Bill Guerin with the full scouting staff awaiting post-draft contract renewals July 1, 2026. You can almost hear the pressure cooker bubbling, but Billy G does have his own ‘Quadrangle of Authority’ so plenty of input to find those needed gems. In our relentless pursuit of simplicity, we offer our perspective for our Wild brethren.

Sure, these 2026 picks are probably two-three years out from NHL competition, but with the AARP memberships growing and/or recent departures of RW – Mats Zuccarello, LW – Marcus Johansson, D – Jared Spurgeon, D – Zach Bogosian, etc., it’s critical to replace these positions with youthful depth. Now, in addition to finding new leadership in Iowa with the departure of head coach Greg Cronin to the St. Louis Blues staff, AHL’s Iowa Wild is a barren cupboard that needs a trip to Kramarczuk’s Deli asap!

In the first two rounds of the draft, you take the ‘best available’ approach regardless of position and IF they happen to slot in at a position of need that’s a win-win, but in rounds three through seven you veer toward filling actual needs to balance and replenish your roster for the future. That said, we will provide two targets per draft pick for the Wilds’ 2026 NHL draft forecast with comments on each prospect. In addition, we’ll provide you with a full slate of local Minnesota ‘Prospects to Watch’ for your deep draft tracking thrill ride – so, ignore the warning labels by grabbing the microwave popcorn, crack the chilled Sun Cruiser, ease the recliner back, and enjoy the draft this Friday & Saturday, June 26^th – June 27^th!

Minnesota Wild 2026 NHL Draft (order of picks with LPH suggestions)

1 – N/A, traded to Vancouver (Quinn Hughes)

2 – N/A, traded to Nashville (Gustav Nyquist)

3 – #89, D – Jayden Kurtz (Rogers HS/USHL-Chic) / RW – Tyus Sparks (WHL-Spokane)

4 – #121, LW – Zach Wooten (USHL-Green Bay) / C – Adam Levac (Peterborough)

5 – #137, D – Yaroslav Matyev (Khabarovsk) / RW – Caelan Joudrey (WHL/Wenatchee)

5 – #153, C – Tobias Tomik (WHL/Vancouver) / LW – Kade Stengrim (WHL/Med. Hat)

6 – #185, LW – Dylan Dean (Edmonton) / G – Anton Wilde, (Frederikshavn)

7 – N/A, traded to Florida (Jeff Petry)

The 2026 NHL Draft does not provide a Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Schaeffer, or a Connor Bedard, that franchise-shaping generational talent is not, on paper, within this draft class. But overall, it is a very good crop with plenty of mid-to-late round depth and the 1^st round still provides elite skilled, future all-stars in the Top 10 selections. This Top 10 group is littered with big, strong skating defenseman who provide plenty of O-zone punch, in fact, there could be nearly twelve blue liners selected within this 2026 first round led by Keaton Verhoeff (NoDak), Chase Reid (Mich St./Soo), Carson Carels (NoDak/Prince Albert), and Alberts Smits (Jukurit/Latvia).

The top tier skill players you already know from World Juniors in creative winger Gavin McKenna (Penn St./Medicine Hat/Whitehorse), the relentless Swedish winger and human piranha Ivar Stenberg (Frolunda HC/Stenungsund HF), and centerman Caleb Malhotra (Boston U/Brantford). We guarantee, yes, that’s right – that these seven players will be selected in the Top 10 of the ‘26 NHL Draft. Book it.

Will there be a few trades during the drafts 1^st round? Well, here’s an interesting tidbit that might spurn a few trades within the first round as five teams within the first seven selections (San Jose, Vancouver, NY Rangers, Calgary, and Seattle) all possess multiple first round picks so here’s to hoping they have their cell phone bills paid up through the end of June. We joke, but remember, this year’s draft will be fully decentralized with the typical front office/scouting contingents remaining in their respective team offices opposed to cruising Sunset or Las Vegas Blvd. post-draft. Of course, the 2026 draft’s live coverage is in Buffalo, NY, so that might be a good reason for the remote Zoom calls.

For those of you eyeing the central division, which includes the Wild, pay attention to the St. Louis Blues, as they hold the 11^th, 15^th, and 29^th picks of the first round – yep, three picks in the first round! More high-end youth to join Jimmy Snuggerud and turn over that Blues roster. And, for the first time in years, the Chicago Blackhawks only have one pick in the first round, alas, it is the fourth overall selection. Good grief.

Opinions vary on the drafts’ worthiness past the first 2-3 rounds, but it sure is nice to pull a Kirill Kaprizov with a 5^th rd. pick, right? For teams like the Wild, still the ‘little train’ climbing the proverbial mountain and needing to replenish with youthful speed you only need look at Chicago, San Jose, Anaheim, Utah, etc. who are ALL on the rise and swiftly nipping at the Wild’s heels. You must do your homework, draft for smarts, compete level, speed, and for the first time in Wild history, marry those prerequisites with the benefit of? SIZE. Why? See: The Avs, Knights, Canes, Panthers, et al. We all love the little guy who guts it out and makes whirling dervish plays, no doubt – but it’s beyond time to move past the Lollipop Guild folks, sure, it’s crazy highlight reel fun during our long winters, but simply doesn’t work in May or June.

Now, on the heels of the Carolina Hurricanes Cup win, people will bring up the ‘Canes 2^nd line of average-to-below average size in Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake. Duly noted. However, 2/3 of that line possesses youthful foot speed, exceptional vision and a relentless forecheck surrounded by vets that expect nothing less, not to mention HC, Rod Brind’Amour. Now, let’s layer in key performers Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov, William Carrier, Mark Jankowski, Jaccob Slavin, Jalen Chatfield, KeAndre Miller, Sean Walker, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Alex Nikishin and that group of ten? Well, they average…6’2”/206 lbs. Ok, then.

The following is a deeper look at our recommended 2026 draft selections for the Wild with smart, gritty players that possess sublime edgework, vertical speed, and ample size given their positions.

3 – #89

D – Jayden Kurtz (Rogers HS/USHL-Chicago): 6’3”/187 – Rangy patrolman that steers, pins and clears with flow. Smart net-front protector sees ice well with burgeoning O-zone game that will only elevate as a Wisconsin Badger.

RW – Tyus Sparks (WHL-Spokane): 6’/180 – The sparks off his rear blades are from this vertical burner with a relentless forecheck and 2-way battle effort no matter the score, nor opponent.

4 – #121

C/LW – Zach Wooten (USHL-Green Bay): 6’2”/205 – Slow burn gem developed into a high-motor, gritty competitor who causes turnovers over 200 ft. and averaged a ppg with USHL’s Gamblers. Will hone refinement under Mike Hastings with the Badgers alongside Jayden Kurtz.

C/RW – Jakub Frolo (Ilves-Liiga/Czechia): 6’1”/195 – Confident, aggressive, and a heavy hitter. Grinds out space for linemates and QBs the PP with savvy setups.

5 – #137

D – Yaroslav Matyev (Khabarovsk/RUS): 6’5”/220 – Towering, physically imposing presence is a project, but after layering in the soft skills, this long-term investment is Nvidia stock-worthy.

RW – Caelan Joudrey (WHL/Wenatchee): 6’4”/183 – needs physical maturity but embraces the defensive commitments that fuel vertical O-zone attacks. Will refine at Quinnipiac so you know he will grind away with a high IQ/motor.

5 – #153

C /RW – Tobias Tomik (WHL/Vancouver): 6’1”/185 – Churning pistons power his stride and fuels his puck handling and distribution with pace. Four-way agility is outstanding and serves him well on both ends of the ice. Solid defender/distributor with high situational IQ.

LW – Kade Stengrim (WHL/Medicine Hat/Brainerd): 6’4”/207 – Impressive catch and release with a slicing sweep motion release. Grinds away in high-danger areas with confidence and physicality. Owns the strong-side, low slot. As perfect a 3^rd/4^th line winger as you’ll find.

6 – #185

LW – Dylan Dean (Edm-WHL/Mt.St.Charles/Maple Grove): 6’1”/185 – Lives in the greasy, high-danger areas creating chaos down low and master technician at tipping shots net front during 5-on-5 or on the PP. 200-ft. battle effort and mindful of details.

G – Anton Wilde Larsen (Frederikshavn/Denmark): 6’4”/203 – Sturdy ‘tender has questionable stats due to lower performing Denmark national team, but is a tough, positionally sound goalie who stopped 50/52 shots versus Team USA at the recent U18 World Championships in electric fashion. Highs and lows abound but he’s a tough battler that carrying late round steal potential. A perfect late 6^th – 7^th round burgle.

LOCAL 2026 NHL DRAFT DEPTH ABOUNDS

Lastly, we shift to the top Minnesota (MSHSL) players to watch in the 2026 NHL Draft with projections of round taken, size, high school, and brief profile of each player.

#82-#92 / 3^rd rd.      Jayden Kurtz            D           R     6’3”/187            Rogers HS  

Rangy defenseman, possesses Swiss Army knife deployability, peppering the net with snapshots or staying home as a net-front protector. Athletically deceptive four-way skater with tenacious stick for creating turnovers fueling swift exiting. Blueliner is equally adept at three-zone mobility or carving through two-man pressure. Wrapped senior HS season with 28 pts over 26 tilts and cumulative 73 points over 82 HS games.

#92-#96 / 3^rd rd.      Tyden Bergeson         LW     R     6’/174                  Moorhead HS        

As per Spuds’ predecessors, the Madison Caps’ 2^nd line left-winger returned for another MN state title run with Moorhead. During fall ’25 stint with USHL’s Madison Caps posted 11/5/16 over 16 games. Supple, shifty handwork lends to deceptive puck movement in and out of attacks, just as his soft receptions deftly transition to high-torque setups unleashing snapshot rockets to tune of 29/52/81 over 31 games and earning the Spuds another Minny state title and coveted MN Mr. Hockey award.

#120-#128 / 4^th rd.  Luke Puchner           L/RW    L       5’ 10”/183        Shattuck-St, Mary’s

A blend of sneaky grit and crafty offensive dynamism, mostly from dropping dimes in tight space. Puchner is not a classic sniper with blazing speed, but a middle-six depth talent providing key minutes who separates with sublime processing and slippery stop-start activations. Versatility at all forward positions with relentless puck hunting, shifty four-way bursts in traffic, and patient puck distribution – perfect for special teams. Puchner’s layered vision over 157 tilts with totals of 55/103/158 for a perfect 2:1 assist-to-goals ratio.

#140-#145 / 5^th rd.  Brandon Mickelson D         L      5’11”/175                 Moorhead HS    

Steady defender with textbook steer and pins leading to decisive zone exits, yet it’s the O-zone maturity that has blossomed ‘the Mick’ into a dynamic two-way player. Committed to shutting down the attack by deploying hustle, gap positioning, and footwork, but he thirsts for offensive activations and PP conversions. Two-way neutral zone transitioning is next-level as he constantly surveys the ice and drops deceptive no-look, tape-to-tape passes to teammates on the fly.

#150-#160 / 5^th rd.  Teddy Lechner         D         R     6’3”/170             Holy Angels HS   

Toolsy, indefatigable protector excels at transition game with high O-zone and PP vision. Agile in out of transitions and short-burst pivoting as he sweeps, wheels, and hits wings with accurate two-zone outlets. Leverages length for sneaky stickwork in creating turnovers but needs more tone-setting physicality. Vertical stride speed has room for growth yet excels in short, high-traffic mobility with impressive edges. Long runway with late ’08 D-O-B provides further development intrigue. Career ppg average finished his junior HS season with 7/31/38 over 23 games.

#175-#185 / 6^th rd    Cole Braunshausen      RW/C         R      5’9”/177      St. Thomas Academy     

Unrivaled 200-ft. toolbox overflows with skill and defensive tenacity as the most complete, 200-ft. player in the MSHSL. Deployable on PP and PK with savvy and discipline as he’s only been flagged for 4 penalties all season! Deploys a stout base and quick stick forcing opponents into stalled attacks and turnovers. Can play a vertical, run & gun style or direct the cycle and grind away net-front for dimes to teammates off backdoor rushes. 102 MSHSL games carrying a 1.5ppg avg. Coach-on-ice capped his senior HS season with 67 pts over 28 games for a 2.4 ppg.  One of our all-time HS faves.

#193-#205 / 7^th rd.  Zac Zimmerman      C               R   5’11”/176                 Moorhead HS       

Fargo Force forward returned to Moorhead HS to pursue back-to-back Minny state titles and achieved exactly that. A high-octane point producer, yet crafty playmaker creating space with savvy stickhandling, deceptive footspeed, and cunning vision. Effortlessly dimes linemates for high-danger attacks, yet more than capable in rifling his own snipes. Finished MSHSL career with 186 pts over 89 tilts for a 2.08 ppg avg.

Enjoy the 2026 NHL Draft – catch you on the free agency flip!

*T.R. Holler is a Regional Scout for the Red Line Report and the USHL.