The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is Friday night. We already took a look at some prospects the consensus ranks in the area of the New Jersey Devils’ 12th overall pick. However, we are now going to look at five sleepers, or players who are not valued to go 12th overall by the consensus, but would still be strong selections.
Note, each player’s consensus ranking courtesy of Sound of Hockey is listed below the player.
Adam Novotný
Adam Novotný, a winger, played his junior hockey in Czechia, and even got a taste in the Czechia’s top professional league before making the move to North America for 2025-26. This past season, he played for Peterborough of the OHL posting 65 points (34 goals) across 58 games. That figure topped a Peterborough team, who was starved for offense despite making the playoffs, by a good amount.
Novotný, is listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. He does a bit of everything well. His offensive game is built upon a very strong shot. The playmaking ability is not there just yet but his strong hockey sense should help that part of his game develop. He should be a 20-plus goal scorer at the next level. Again, he does everything pretty well from his skating, physicality, hockey sense, etc.
Several mention his floor should be a top-six winger, but several reference the higher floor but are timid due to his potential ceiling. Novotný is expected to play in the OHL again next season.
Consensus Ranking: 16th
Nikita Klepov
At only 17 years old, Nikita Klepov dominated the OHL last season. He posted 97 points (37 goals, 60 assists) across 67 games. He led Saginaw in scoring, a team that barely made the playoffs. His 97 points also led all of the OHL while his 37 goals ranked eighth and his 60 assists was fourth.
Klepov is already an elite offensive player. He is one of the best playmakers in the class and also features a very strong shot as evident by the almost 40 goals he scored his season. His hockey sense and vision helped him post 60 assists this past season. He should be able to be a strong offensive threat, at both five-on-five and on the power play, at the next level.
The concern with Klepov comes with a skating ability that isn’t exactly above average. Additionally, his defensive game, more so due to his so-so 6-foot, 180-pound frame, needs some work. It will be interesting to see how his game translates in a much more physical environment of the NCAA.
Klepov will continue his development with Michigan State next season.
Consensus Ranking: 20th
J.P. Hurlbert
J.P. Hurlbert is a Texas-born forward, with center capabilities, who tore up the WHL last season. He joined the Kamloops Blazers for the 2025-26 season after playing throughout the US Developmental program the prior season. He was third on the National Team Developmental Program under-17 team in scoring. With the Blazers this past season, he exploded for 97 points (42 goals) over 68 games. His 97 points and 42 goals each ranked fourth in the league while his 294 shots on goal ranked second.
Hurlbert is a very skillful player. The puck skills are tremendous and so is the shot and playmaking abilities. He dominated junior competition. Concerns with Hurlbert come with his overall skating ability given he is only 6-foot, 190 pounds. Additionally, at that size his strength and physicality are not near where it needs to be to be successful in the defensive end and along the boards.
Hurlbert is set to join the University of Michigan which will be a great test for where is game actually is.
Consensus Ranking: 22nd
Tommy Bleyl
Defenseman Tommy Bleyl flew up prospect rankings this past season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defenseman had 81 points in 63 QMJHL games. He was a staggering plus-58 for the Moncton Wildcats. His 81 points ranked eighth in the QMJHL and led defenseman. His plus-minus ranking was third. As a result, he was named the QMJHL’s defensive rookie of the year.
Bleyl’s concern is of course his size and the question has been posed about how much the environment around him contribute to his big season. Moncton was the QMJHL’s top team with a 50-10 record and 104 points. However, he already possesses elite offensive ability. He’s easily an above average skater and has loads of puck skills. The mobility does help his defensive game a ton, it just depends how his size translates at the next level.
Bleyl has committed to Michigan State. He is expected to play in the QMJHL next season before joining the Spartans for the 2027-28 season.
Consensus Ranking: 25th
Liam Ruck
Liam Ruck, and his brother Markus, took the WHL by storm this season. Liam posted 104 points (45 goals) across 68 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers. This output only trailed his brother Markus for the top mark in the league. Liam only posted 41 points in 61 games the season prior. Due to his explosion this season, he was one of the biggest risers up the prospect ranking lists.
Ruck’s a dynamic offensive presence. He has a terrific shot and his playmaking ability is underrated. He was also relied upon on the penalty kill and constantly put strong efforts forth defensively. Concerns with Ruck come with a skating ability that is described as below average. Additionally, he is below 6-feet at 5-foot-11 and 174 pounds. An improvement in skating as well as getting a little bit strong will help ensure he is a top-six winger at the next level.
Liam, along with his brother Markus, recently committed to the University of North Dakota. Each brother are expected to return to the WHL before joining North Dakota for the 2027-28 season.
Consensus Ranking: 26th