Jason Bukala, Sportsnet draft analyst; 2026 NHL Draft preview

NHL Draft Class kicks off its ninth season with Karl Stewart, the new director of NHL Central Scouting, joining hosts Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale to cover some of the A-rated prospects on Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch list. Karl gives his expert opinion on Michigan defenseman Landon DuPont, and if there's anyone right now who could pass him for the top spot among prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft. He also talks about Saginaw forward Dima Zhilkin, Saint John center Alexis Joseph and more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?