Breaking: With the NHL Draft imminent, several high-upside prospects projected to go in the second round could become impact NHLers — from Maksim Sokolovski's imposing shut-down defence to Matias Vanhanen's elite playmaking and Tobias Trejbal's right-catching goaltending upside. Teams that excel at draft-and-develop stand to turn these Day-2 selections into core contributors; here are the most intriguing second-round targets and what they mean for NHL rosters.
Second-round targets to watch at the NHL Draft
Maksim Sokolovski — Big, physical right-shot defenceman (London Knights, OHL) — Ranked ~33
6-foot-7, 240 pounds. A true stay-at-home presence who changes the look of a defensive pair by sheer size and reach. Sokolovski's mobility and outlet passing improved late in the season, giving him the tools to move the puck out of danger rather than simply clear it. Offence is limited, but his gap control, physicality and ability to shadow top competition make him a prototypical Day-2 pickup for teams that prize size and defensive simplicity.
What it means: A club that needs to add a penalty-killing, top-pairing prospect or protect prospects on the left side will value Sokolovski. With proper coaching he projects as a middle‑to‑top-four NHL defender who excels in matchups and net-front battles.
Niklas Aaram-Olsen — Goal-scoring winger (Orebro J20) — Ranked ~36
6-foot, 185 pounds. Aaram-Olsen plays with pace and a scorer’s instinct. Threatening off the rush and comfortable carrying pucks to the net, he delivered 20G-20A in 29 J20 games. He reads plays to find open ice and finishes decisively.
What it means: Teams seeking a long-term top-six winger or power-play target will like his scoring touch. With a playmaking centre, Aaram-Olsen’s shot and timing could translate into middle-six goals sooner than later.
Matias Vanhanen — Playmaking forward (Everett Silvertips, WHL) — Ranked ~41
5-foot-10, 180 pounds. Vanhanen re-emerged after being passed over in his first year of eligibility and is now among the draft’s most productive playmakers: 21G-66A in the regular season, plus 16G-16A in the post-season and Memorial Cup. He also produced six assists in seven games at the World Juniors. Exceptional vision, pace and competitiveness define his game.
What it means: Vanhanen projects as a second-line creator or a high-end middle-six playmaker. He’s the kind of CHL-to-NHL conversion that rewards patient development and power-play opportunity.
Ryder Cali — Competitor on the inside, centre/wing (North Bay Battalion, OHL) — Ranked ~49
6-foot-1, 214 pounds. A board-winner who brings intensity and reliable two-way play. Cali posted 16G-20A and can play centre or wing in all situations. His hockey sense and willingness to compete make him a candidate for heavy deployment in penalty kill and checking roles.
What it means: Projected as a third-line NHLer, Cali is the kind of pick that adds toughness, depth and situational reliability. He’s a practical, low-risk selection for teams needing immediate pro-ready physicality.
Tobias Trejbal — Right-catching goaltender (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL) — Ranked ~52
6-foot-4, 198 pounds. Trejbal’s size and right-catching posture give shooters a different look. He posted a 2.12 GAA and .916 SV% in the USHL while showing impressive crease calm and lateral agility. Some project him earlier, but he’s a quality Day‑2 target who could be the first goalie off the board.
What it means: For teams that prioritize goaltender projection, Trejbal represents starter upside. His composure and positional profile suggest a development timeline toward an NHL backup or potential starter with refinement.
Marcus Nordmark — High-upside winger with temperament questions (Djurgardens J20) — Ranked ~55
6-foot-1, 190 pounds. Nordmark flashes high-end offensive capability and game-breaking instincts — 14G-24A in 25 J20 games and key power-play finishes at U18s. But consistency and compete-level are concerns; he often looks like a different player night-to-night.
What it means: Nordmark is a classic boom-or-bust Day‑2 gamble. A team confident in its development staff could unlock top-six scoring, but clubs must be prepared to manage and coach his compete habits.
Ethan MacKenzie — Two-way, puck-moving defenceman (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL) — Ranked ~64
6-foot-1, reliable skater who broke out with 22G-36A and earned a spot on Canada’s World Junior roster. MacKenzie plays with poise, pushes back in the trenches and shows an ability to quarterback plays. He’s committed to North Dakota, which should accelerate his maturation in a top NCAA program.
What it means: MacKenzie projects as a middle/bottom-pairing NHL defender with steady two-way utility. The NCAA route boosts his floor and makes him an attractive pick for clubs that value structured, college-style development.
Why Day‑2 value matters for NHL teams
The first round gets headlines, but the second and later rounds are where roster depth and long-term core pieces are forged. Teams with robust development systems convert size, temperament and raw skill into sustainable NHL value. These seven prospects illustrate the range of Day‑2 outcomes: reliable role players, high-upside forwards and a goalie with starter potential.
Teams should match prospect profile to development capacity — size and defensive instincts suit organizations that can teach puck skills; high-skill but inconsistent players need patient coaches comfortable with temperament work. Ultimately, the best draft classes are defined as much by later-round maturation as by early selections.
What to watch next
Monitor where each prospect lands on draft day and which development pathways they enter (CHL, NCAA, European leagues).
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Early placements in professional systems, quality coaching and opportunity will determine whether these Day‑2 names become core NHL contributors or depth pieces.
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