Steven Graves

analyzing the next generation of hockey players

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

MY NHL DRAFT RANKINGS ARE HERE!!

Let me know what you think, and I’ll be happy to have discussions about my thoughts.

[Brock Otten @BrockOtten]

It’s final ranking season!

Here’s part one of my rankings of OHL players eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft: 21-50.

https://t.co/nvKbuy5aX8

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

Big get for the Spitfires who have recently been gutted due to graduations.

Expect a NTDP player to sign shortly, too.

[Windsor Spitfires @SpitsHockey]

✈️ SIGNING ANNOUNCEMENT ✈️

The Windsor Spitfires are proud to welcome 2025 third-round selection Ty Bergeron, who has officially signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement!

Welcome to Windsor, Ty!

Details: https://t.co/ZFTavknuyJ

#WindsorSpitfires | @McDonaldsCanada

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

Honestly, he’s my favourite prospect for this years OHL draft. I think his potential is sky high in a year where no one really separated themselves.

[Ontario Hockey League @OHLHockey]

2026 #OHLDraft Prospect Profile 🎬

The son of former NHL goaltender Dan Cloutier, Kane Cloutier has become one of the top forward prospects in the 2026 #OHLDraft.

Draft 🎟️: https://t.co/DeZNV09dgU

@GTHLHockey | @FloHockey

[Brock Otten @BrockOtten]

Here’s the thing that I’d start to be concerned about if I was an NHL team…how is there enough playing time and responsibility to go around for some of these super teams getting built? Wouldn’t you rather your high pick get a year of top PP duties and first line minutes?

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

@WindmillDynasty @eliteprospects I really enjoyed reading their synopsis of him. It aligns with my opinions of him pretty much 1:1.

They’re doing incredible work and their OHL coverage as of late has been much better than in years past.

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

Mark Hunter knows his guys.

[London Knights @LondonKnights]

Big Maks is built different! 😤

@Budweiser

[London Knights @LondonKnights]

Big Maks is built different! 😤

@Budweiser

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

That being said, it’s a big reason I’m so bullish on breakout playoff performer Johnny McLaughlin for next season.

Should get all the opportunities in the world to produce and be a guy for Windsor, because as of now he projects the Spitfires #1 Center.

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

Not going to lie, the Windsor Spitfires are getting decimated due to the new NCAA/CHL agreement.

Woodall/Davis/Nesbitt/Belchetz and soon to be Cristoforo are all guys that would have been back before the agreement - but gone because of it.

It’s a new age of being a CHL fan.

[Michigan Hockey's Future 〽️ @FutureBlueIce]

BOOM!! 💣〽️

Jack Nesbitt officially goes #FutureBlue! The Sarnia native is a 6’5” LH-shot center who was drafted 12th overall last year (@NHLFlyers)

With @SpitsHockey since ’23, Nesbitt had 160 points in 203 career games. This year, he racked up 68 points (32G/36A) in 68 games.

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t expect Nikita Klepov on this roster.

Believe he wants to play for Russia internationally, and because of it won’t be representing USA going forward.

[College Puck NXT @CollegePuckNXT]

Team USA WJC 2027 Roster Projection 2.0
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Alexa, play FREE BIRD🦅🎶

Adam Nightingale will lead the Red, White, & Blue for the first time and USA will be looking to bounce back for the 2026-27 games held in Edmonton/Red Deer.

Any early roster predictions?!?👇

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

I really like Harvey’s game. Struggled at the start of the season, but came into his own near the end of the season.

Good skating, great anticipation and is always moving his feet.

Will see his role increase exponentially next season. Expect him to go in the late rounds.

[Ontario Hockey League @OHLHockey]

Early takeoff in Windsor ✈️

Caden Harvey gets the first of the game for the @SpitsHockey less than five minutes into the first period.

#WSRvsFLNT | #OHLPlayoffs

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

If you want a player that is flying under the radar right now for the #2026NHLDraft look no further than Lefebvre.

Passed over last year completely but showed great progression over the course of the season and is off to the Memorial cup.

[QMJHL @QMJHL]

Liam Lefebvre, again! 🤯

He completes the beautiful feed from Nathan Lecompte, and @SagueneensLHJMQ lead 2-0!
#QPlayoffs | #proxi

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

@silvercloud099 @JerryJurellJr He controls the pace of play when on the ice, call it the “it” factor. The other D in the class, and those other D are/were just fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game and have so far taken longer to make an impact.

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

MY NHL DRAFT RANKINGS ARE HERE!!

Let me know what you think, and I’ll be happy to have discussions about my thoughts.

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

@silvercloud099 @JerryJurellJr Jerry sums it up quite well. In my opinion, none of those guys had the offensive upside Reid does. Those guys have more in common with Carels than Reid, in my opinion. Reid as a prospect just has another level than those guys did as prospects…

[Tre Kronor @Trekronorse]

Det historiska skottet. Med 18 år och 67 dagar är Viggo Björck Tre Kronor herrs yngste målskytt i ett världsmästerskap.

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

@silvercloud099 @JerryJurellJr I don’t see the same dynamic game breaking skill, where the pace of play runs through him like it did when Lane was on the ice with the NTDP.
He’s obviously very skilled but he’s too turnover prone for an offensive puck moving D.

[TSN @TSN_Sports]

Ivar Stenberg sets up Viggo Bjorck to make it 5-1 for Sweden! 🇸🇪 #MensWorlds

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

Was quite high on Mahkovec once upon a time…

[IIHF @IIHFHockey]

THAT'S THE GAME WINNER 😮‍💨🇸🇮 #MensWorlds #IIHF @lovehokej

[IIHF @IIHFHockey]

THAT'S THE GAME WINNER 😮‍💨🇸🇮 #MensWorlds #IIHF @lovehokej

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

@The_Prospect93 And for my money, the difference of all of them is how the effect the pace of play when on the ice. If it’s not shift in and out like a Hughes/Hutson/Makar. You risk putting yourself in a position where you’re taking a Brannstrom/Boqvist/Murphy, instead.

[Steven Graves @German_Spitfire]

@The_Prospect93 I love the argument - and I do see those elements in his game - however I’m of the opinion that he doesn’t have the ability to take over games, like those guys did as prospects (I had Hutson at #9 in 2022). There has been so many smallish OFD over the years, and so little hit…