TOP 50 2026 DRAFT RANKINGS | Locked On NHL Prospects Midterms Rankings

On the final day of 2025, we look back at the prospects who have improved the most, risen their stocks, and outright surprised! Who did we miss? First, we look at five players in the elite category, highlighted by Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Schaefer, and Ben Kindel. Next, some personal favourites who have risen up the ranks, featuring Václav Nestrašil, Ilya Protas, and Alexander Zharovsky. Finally, some under-the-radar winners of the year, including Dean Letourneau's angry rebound tour, going from overwhelmed in fourth-line minutes to a shift-dominating power forward on Boston College's top line.  Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL 📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter  Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian  📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods  📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers  #NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuelDownload the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31 Dec 31min

The World Junior Championships are almost halfway through as the Round Robin concludes today. We lock in our final predictions for the tournament winners, top scorers, and more! First, we predict the teams finishing on the podium and in 4th, featuring Canada and Sweden in the Gold Medal game. Next, we predict the MVP, top scorers, and Media All-Star team, featuring Gavin McKenna, Michael Hage, and Anton Frondell. Finally, we wrap up the show with our predictions on the current and eventual risers and fallers from the tournament, highlighted by the emergence of players like Alberts Šmits, Tomáš Chrenko, and Ethan MacKenzie.  Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL 📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter  Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian  📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods  📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers  #NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DripDrop Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.Go to https://dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL. Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. MonarchTake control of your finances with Monarch. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at https://monarch.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuelDownload the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31 Dec 29min

The 2025-26 season is about halfway through and three players have separated themselves at the top of the Calder race: Schaefer, Demidov, and Sennecke. We break those three down in the first segment before moving onto a pair of netminders who keep rising alongside Zeev Buium on the heels of the top pack. Finally, we wrap it up with the honourable mentions, four players who have made notable impacts as rookies but lack the stardust of the top names.  Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL 📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter  Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian  📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods  📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers  #NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuelDownload the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31 Dec 25min

The World Junior Championships are almost halfway through as the Round Robin concludes today. We break down what today's games mean and how each team fares in their matchup. First, we look at the big games, USA vs. Sweden and Canada vs. Finland, featuring potential upsets and massive momentum shifts. Next, we wrap up the show with the Slovakia vs. Switzerland game that is destined to be a defensive struggle and Latvia vs. Czechia, which could be determined by whether Alberts Šmits is the best player on the ice.  Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL 📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter  Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian  📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods  📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers  #NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DripDrop Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.Go to https://dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL. Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. MonarchTake control of your finances with Monarch. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at https://monarch.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuelDownload the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31 Dec 25min

The centre position is truly the wildcard of the 2026 draft with a lack of high end talent. Reaches on pivots seems inevitable, but has this narrative been overblown? We dig into the best centres of the draft, including many ranked in my 2nd round who are likely to end up in the first round and maybe even top 20. We delve through the tiers and highlight the names NHL teams will be battling for come draft day.   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL 📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter  Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian  📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods  📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers  #NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DripDrop Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.Go to https://dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL. Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. MonarchTake control of your finances with Monarch. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at https://monarch.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuelDownload the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

31 Dec 26min

Is 2026 the Draft of defencemen? It most certainly is. We break down the distinct tiers among first-round quality blueliners in this episode, highlighted by 4 blue chip prospects showcasing their talents at the World Juniors: Keaton Verhoeff, Chase Reid, Carson Carels, and Alberts Šmits. We discuss the reasons these four will likely be the first ones selected on draft day and present two contenders to jump into the top tier: Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph. Finally, we wrap up the show with the glut of defencemen who will fill the middle and late end of the first round, for their projectable, physical brands of play built for the NHL playoffs before ranking these 12 blueliners.   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL 📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter  Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian  📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods  📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers  #NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DripDrop Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.Go to https://dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL. Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. MonarchTake control of your finances with Monarch. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at https://monarch.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuelDownload the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

29 Dec 35min

We're in draft rankings season and on today's show we take a look at Corey Pronman's spicy first round rankings at The Athletic. From centre Tynan Lawrence at 1 and phenom Gavin McKenna at 4 to unicorn defenceman Alberts Šmits at 5, these rankings have it all. What are your thoughts? Corey Pronman's Top 31 Rankings: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6858899/2025/12/10/nhl-draft-2026-top-prospects-gavin-mckenna/ Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONHLProspects?sid=YouTube Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL 📲 Follow Locked On NHL Prospects on Twitter  Locked On NHL Prospects https://twitter.com/LO_NHLProspects Sebastian High https://twitter.com/high_sebastian  📺 Follow Locked On NHL: https://twitter.com/LockedOnNHLPods  📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers  #NHL #Hockey #NHLDraft #nhlprospects Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! DripDrop Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order.Go to https://dripdrop.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNHL. Indeed Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/lockedon right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. MonarchTake control of your finances with Monarch. Use code LOCKEDONNHL at https://monarch.com/lockedonnhl for 50% off your first year. FanDuelDownload the FanDuel app now by visiting FanDuel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Dec 34min