Potential Preds: 2026 NHL Draft Scouting Report - Defensemen

The 2026 NHL Draft is quickly approaching, along with Smashville’s newest set of faces.

The Draft will be held June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, marking President of Hockey Operations/General Manager Chris MacFarland’s first Draft with the Predators.

The Preds currently hold 11 picks, including one first-round selection at No. 10 - the second-straight year they own a Top-10 pick. 

Preds Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty, as well as Chief Amateur Scout Tom Nolan, said last month they’re excited about the depth of the draft class, and are focused on choosing a high-upside player, regardless of position. 

With so many top-ranked defensemen in this year’s draft class, will the Preds choose a blueliner at No. 10? Here are five defensemen who could hear their names called by Nashville in Round One on Friday night. 

All scouting ranks and reports produced by NHL Central Scouting.

Alberts Smits – No. 2 Ranked International Skater 

Defenseman – 6-3, 205 lbs. – EHC Red Bull München 

Born: Dec. 2, 2007 – Valmiera, Latvia 

Smits made an impressive transition from junior to professional hockey, giving him the No. 2 spot among NHL Central Scouting’s International Skaters. 

The  defenseman tallied 13 points (6g-7a) in 38 games in Finland’s top professional league after starting the season in the top junior league (10 points in 5 games). He concluded his season on a loan to München, posting six points in 10 postseason games in Germany’s top men’s league.

The 18-year old represented Latvia on four occasions last season, including the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 where he contributed two assists in four games.

Smits was recently honored with the 2026 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, presented annually “to the NHL Draft prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism."

Per NHL Central Scouting:

“His hockey IQ is exceptional, as evidenced by his ability to read plays, make intelligent first passes, and position himself effectively in both zones. He plays a physical yet clean game, utilizing his size and reach to win battles and neutralize one-on-one attackers. Offensively, Smits is dangerous from the blue line, with a heavy, accurate one-timer and the instincts to quarterback the power play. His calmness under pressure and maturity on the puck make him look like a seasoned pro rather than a teenager.”

Keaton Verhoeff – No. 4-Ranked North American Skater

Defenseman – 6-4, 215 lbs – North Dakota, NCAA 

Born: June 19, 2008 – Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta 

Verhoeff just wrapped up his first season in the NCAA — which included a Frozen Four appearance with North Dakota and 20 points (6g-14a), the best total of a draft-eligible defenseman.   

The elite defenseman started his career as a goaltender before changing positions at age 11. Since then, he’s racked up four medals with Team Canada while serving as captain on a pair of occasions on the international stage.  

Verhoeff trains and skates with cousins and current NHL forwards Kirby and Colton Dach, whom he calls his inspiration and role models.  

Per NHL Central Scouting:

“Has an innate ability to make the right play at the right time whether a big hit or a shot that challenges the opposing goaltender. Type of defenseman that can play big minutes and get stronger as the game goes on. Can impact the game from his position like few in this draft class. Very complete player.”

Daxon Rudolph – No. 5-Ranked North American Skater

Defenseman – 6-3, 205 lbs. – Prince Albert, WHL 

Born: March 6, 2008 — Lacombe, Alberta  

Coming off a stellar season in the Western Hockey League, Rudolph is considered one of the top defensemen in the Draft. He put up 78 points (28g-50a) for the Prince Albert Raiders last season, highlighted by a 13-game point streak and six-straight multi-point games. 

As an alternate captain for the Raiders, Rudolph played every situation, leading in regular-season points and assists before helping the club advance to the WHL Championship, logging 27 points in 19 playoff games. 

He is committed to the University of Denver for the upcoming season. 

Per NHL Central Scouting:

“A top defender used in all situations who logs big minutes. A strong and agile skater who plays a heads up, intelligent game. Ability to control the game, showing poise beyond his years. An excellent QB on the power play who generates scoring chances and quality shots from the point.”

Malte Gustafsson – No. 7-Ranked International Skater

Defenseman – 6-4, 203 lbs. – HV71, SHL 

Born: June 11, 2008 – Väckelsång, Sweden

At 17 years old, Gustafsson made his professional debut in the Swedish Hockey League last season, posting three points (0g-3a) in 27 games. He “shows remarkable composure and confidence beyond his age,” according to NHL Central Scouting.

The 6-foot-4 defenseman put up 12 points in 19 games in Sweden’s top junior league before jumping to the pros. 

Gustafsson won Gold at the 2026 U-18 World Championship, and he also earned silver at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he averaged over a point-per-game. 

If drafted to the Preds, Gustafsson would join his brother Viggo, a third-round pick in 2024 who split last season between Sweden and the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. 

Per NHL Central Scouting:

“Defensively, he is strong positionally, using an active stick and body to close space and win battles. He demonstrates control and calm when quarterbacking the power play, distributing crisp passes, and showing the ability to create offense from the blue line. His performance typically showcases his offensive upside, blending skill and vision with physical reliability. His skating agility and balance for a player of his size make him a modern two-way defenseman with legitimate top-pair potential.”

Thomas Bleyl – No. 17-Ranked North American Skater

Defense – 5-11, 170 lbs - Moncton, QMJHL 

Born: Dec. 1, 2007 -  Schenectady, N.Y. 

Bleyl enters the draft following his best season yet — 81 points (13g-68a) in 63 games with the Moncton Wildcats to go along with a plus-58 on-ice rating.

He led the league in assists, topped rookie defenseman in points and set a franchise record for single-season points by a defenseman. Preds prospect Alex Huang was second to Bleyl with 59 assists. 

The 18-year-old continued his performance in the postseason with 28 points in 21 games, prior to earning Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year honors earlier this month.

Per NHL Central Scouting

“His overall skating could be in the top of his draft class… He excels in all situations of the game, impacts the game as a power-play quarterback but also as an ultra-efficient puck mover from the back end. His vision, puck skill and poise are impressive. He defends well and is amongst the best plus-minus players in the entire league. Produces offense with a mature style, excellent risk and reward choices. Lots to like about the trajectory that this prospect is going towards.” 

Bleyl is committed to Michigan State University but will spend at least one more season with Moncton before jumping to the NCAA.

The 2026 NHL Draft will be held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The first round is set for June 26 (6 p.m. CT; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS), with rounds 2-7 on June 27 (10 a.m. CT; NHLN, ESPN+, SN).

Join the Preds for the official Draft Watch Party, beginning at 5 p.m. CT on Friday, at BetMGM Sports Lounge inside Bridgestone Arena for live media coverage, special guests, exclusive giveaways, food & drink specials and more. On Saturday, attend the Preds Summer Open House from 12-4 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena. Explore available seating options, watch additional live Draft coverage, enjoy fun activities for the whole family and check out our annual Used Equipment Sale. General public access to the used equipment sale will begin at 2 p.m. CT.

Stay tuned to NashvillePredators.com and @PredsNHL on social media for complete coverage of the NHL Draft.