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NHL Draft defense class ratings + Pronman’s latest mock draft
Hockey
NHL Draft defense class ratings + Pronman’s latest mock draft
The Athletic Hockey Show›
May 15, 202657:5711.0K views
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With the NHL Draft quickly approaching, the guys break down Corey’s latest ranking and mock and discuss defense as the strength of this year’s draft class, rating the six blueliners projected to go in the top ten. Plus, they answer listener questions in a long-awaited mailbag to close things out.
0:00 Intro
0:24 Corey’s overview of the very top of the 2026 NHL Draft class
2:50 Gavin McKenna at No. 4 in latest rankings, but will he still get picked No. 1?
4:24 Are there worries about the top five defensemen?
10:27 Will Gavin McKenna’s notoriety be a factor for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
16:18 Which player type would be harder for the Maple Leafs to find this offseason?
20:09 Why is Ethan Belchetz No. 13 on Corey’s latest rankings?
24:14 Why Malte Gustafsson is now amongst the top defenseman in the class
27:34 Typecasting the profiles of top six defensemen
33:33 Why has Xavier Villeneuve fallen out of the top D prospects conversation?
38:54 Corey has Adam Goljer at No. 22 on his rankings
40:00 Scott has William Hakansson at No. 31 on his rankings
44:27 Listener questions in the mailbag
44:30 Could teams be targeting the Ruck twins and actually draft them both?
46:35 How should the Detroit Red Wings handle their goalie prospect situation?
50:43 Why do certain teams consistently have players outperform their draft position?
53:57 How do you rate Alberts Smits’ hockey IQ?
55:56 Why has the projection of Wyatt Cullen and Casey Mutryn changed?
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-Photo credit: Michael Miller/ISI Photos via Getty Images
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