At every NHL draft, countless talented hockey players go undrafted.
Oftentimes, teams have their list of players, and they didn’t get to a player further down the list. Other times, a player may be undersized, and it’s a long shot that they reach the NHL. Sometimes, it’s simply that teams overlooked them during the draft year.
Regardless of the reason, some of these players will bounce back and put themselves in the conversation the way Charlie Cerrato or Ludvig Johnson did this year. As we take a look at some of the top names to go unselected, remember that we may see them get their name called at the 2026 NHL draft.
Topias Hynninen, C, Jukurit (Finland)
One of the top overage names in this year’s NHL draft, Hynninen produced at an impressive level in the Liiga this year as he became one of his team’s most important players. He was consistently involved in driving their offensive game. He may be undersized at 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, but he’s a highly intelligent player who’s proven he can play at the men’s level as a teenager. Now that he’s been passed over twice, maybe he signs as a 24-year-old to join an NHL club.
Luka Radivojevic, D, Muskegon (USHL)
The shifty, skilled and highly mobile defender went undrafted because he’s small. At just 5-foot-10 on the blueline and a defensive game that was questionable at best, it’s not entirely shocking, but I thought some team would draft him late as a project. His puck-moving and offensive instincts were on display at the World Men’s Under-18s. Radivojevic might end up being a name we hear from again next year.
Lev Katzin, C/W, Guelph (OHL)
He’s small, but he’s incredibly feisty, and his playmaking was impressive in the OHL. Katzin started the year in the United States League but jumped to the OHL as the eligibility rules changed regarding the NCAA. His production at the OHL level was impressive with 48 points in 44 games. He’s active at both ends of the ice, never stops moving his feet and seems to understand he has to outwork his physical limitations. He’ll head to Penn State in the fall and could be a coveted NCAA free agent in a few years.
Matej Pekar, C/LW, Seattle (WHL)
A personal favorite of mine, Pekar was a bet on skill and intellect. He played with impeccable timing, consistently popping into zones right as the puck arrived or swooping in to scoop up a loose puck. Pekar played with a swiftness that saw him excel as an off-puck play connector. He wasn’t ever the best on the ice, but he helped make his linemates' lives easier in a very understated way in the WHL.
Bruno Osmanis, RW, Bjorkloven (Swe.2)
A late-2006 born forward, Osmanis has stood out for Latvia in international events over the past couple of years. That usually bodes well for players from smaller nations, but unfortunately for Osmanis, he didn’t have his name called this weekend. He’s an intelligent playmaker who reads and reacts quite well. He’s always been able to elevate his game against better competition at events like the world juniors or U-18s.
Nicolas Sykora, LW, Sioux City (USHL)
After a solid Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Sykora had a slow start with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers and eventually found his footing in Sioux City. He is a crafty puckhandler with a very good shot. He’s not big or bruising, but he can throw his weight around at times. When he’s on his game, he is intense and driven to get pucks on net. Consistency was his big issue.
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Carson Cameron, D, Peterborough (OHL)
A defense-first blueliner, Cameron doesn’t blow the doors off with the puck. He cuts play down, seals off the opposing player along the wall and battles through opposing puck carriers. His play isn’t flashy, but it’s effective. He played for one of the OHL’s bottom-dwellers, but he always found ways to show something positive.
Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, D, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)
Another defensive defenseman, Rheaume-Mullen was an NCAA freshman this season. He played a sound defensive game with solid gap control and incredible mobility. There’s a good base of physical tools to work with, and he should have been drafted, but people will keep an eye on the defender going into next season. An expanded role on a very good NCAA team will be something to watch.
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