2026 NHL Prospects Challenge: Leafs, Canadiens, Jets and Senators standouts

GATINEAU, Que. — Prospects for the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Jets and Senators played in the NHL Prospects Challenge rookie tournament over the weekend.

I attended all four games at Centre Slush Puppie. Here are notes on 45 of the relevant prospects.

Ottawa Senators

Jaxon Cover, F (Round 1, 2026): Cover was the standout of the weekend. After a three-point opener that included a highlight-reel overtime winner, he scored twice and had two assists in Game 2 to finish with seven points in two games. He looked nimble on the puck. I liked him running the half wall on the power play. He looks a step quicker, even if still unconventionally so. The release is slick. He was using his linemates better and made some heady passing plays to the weak side. He played at center in Game 2 and still found space on the puck with his movement and hesitations/fakes. He had a breakaway look for the hat trick and multiple short-side looks on the power play that he nearly converted. His puck skill was a clear cut above every time he had it. One thing I’m wondering about: What if he has a big year in London and decides to sign with the Senators instead of going to Penn State?

JAXON COVER GOES END-TO-END TO WIN IT IN OVERTIME FOR THE SENS!!! 🤯

(🎥: @Senators) pic.twitter.com/Ip47FjwLRO

— NHL (@NHL) September 13, 2026

Adam Nemec, F (Round 3, 2026): I thought Nemec, who I’m a fan of, was quiet in his lone game.

Blake Montgomery, F (Round 4, 2024): Montgomery got a step on some guys as he always does, but also kept his head up and found second and third layers. I liked his Game 1 more than Game 2, but he was good overall.

Kasper Halttunen, F (Round 2, 2023): Halttunen scored on a cannon to open the scoring in Game 1 and a wraparound to open the scoring in Game 2, flashing his two best attributes on both: his shot and his strength. If the pace can get there, he has a chance to play and the shot could keep him in the league on a power play. It rattled harder than anyone else’s in the tournament this weekend.

Lucas Ellinas, F (Round 4, 2024): There was a lot of helium around Ellinas this time last year, and a lot of people in the NHL and OHL who felt he had a path to the league. A year later, I’m less convinced. He hardly caught my eye at all this weekend.

Louis-Felix Bourque, F (Round 3, 2026): I hardly noticed Bourque.

Hoyt Stanley, D (Round 4, 2023): I thought Stanley looked comfortable in all three zones and showed it both in his poise on the puck and his stick and detail off it. He’s a smart player.

Matthew Andonovski, D (Round 5, 2023): Good stick breaking up plays. I thought he was fine. He’s a third-pairing AHLer more than a future NHL version of that.

Christian Kyrou, D (Round 2, 2022): You’d expect Kyrou to be a top player at this level, and I thought he mostly looked it. He moved his feet and pucks, set up a couple of goals and was generally eyes up and heady in his game.

Gabriel Eliasson, D (Round 2, 2024): Eliasson picked up a couple of assists, but my problems with him (his discipline, his stick defensively and his struggles with pressure) also persisted. I just can’t get there with him. The constant hiccups defensively and penalties are so costly.

Tomas Hamara, D (Round 3, 2022): Hamara played just one of the two games, but I thought he handled himself well (as you’d expect for a player his age) and moved it cleanly.

Kevin Reidler, G (Round 5, 2022): Reidler started Game 2 and played the first half, stopping 15 of 17 (.882 save percentage), but both were on the power play. He looked big in the net and made the saves he was supposed to. I thought he was controlled, too.

Jackson Parsons, G (Signed NHL): Parsons started the opener, and I thought he was solid.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Tinus Luc Koblar, F (Round 2, 2025): I thought Koblar was just OK in the opener, but he was Toronto’s best player in Game 2, assisting on the first three goals and flashing a little more skill in sequences. His skating stride looks a little awkward from the knees down (he gets too wide and splays/kicks a little) still, but he’s strong, he can build steam, he knows where to be and he can play off his linemates or to them. He also has a propensity for entering through the middle third through neutral ice and does a good job kicking pucks out, which is repeatable. As for his ability to protect pucks off his hip. I’m not sure what his next level/future NHL role looks like still (I’d guess third-liner?), but he’s going to play. I know he wants to give camp a go this fall, but a return to Sweden for one more year would be my recommended path. Either way, he continues to look like a solid pick.

Miroslav Holinka, F (Round 5, 2024): Hardly noticed him at all in the opener. Better in Game 2 on Toronto’s best line in the game with Koblar and Harry Nansi, but was still hoping to see him look more like a top guy.

Tyler Hopkins, F (Round 3, 2025): Hopkins was fine. The usual support positions and good stick. My main takeaway with him was that he looked a little breezier through his stride (don’t know if that was a focus this summer or just my eyes playing tricks on me, but he looked smooth weaving down the ice a couple times). He was playing well coming into the tournament too, with seven assists in two preseason games with Guelph.

Landon Sim, F (Signed NHL): I know he became a bit of a fan favourite last year with the Marlies for his work ethic, but I’m just not sure he can be what he is in the AHL as an NHLer. He chipped and chased. He dropped the gloves. He yelled at some people. He held onto some pucks on the cycle. But there’s not much more to his game.

Luke Haymes, F (Signed NHL): Haymes was around the net and winning board battles/body positioning throughout and looked like a player with pro experience that way. I liked him on the PK. He scored a goal at the front of the net as well. I don’t see a full-time NHL path for him, but he should remain fine depth.

Harry Nansi, F (Round 5, 2025): I liked Nansi in both games. He made some plays in the first and had a great sequence and line change early in the second game, which eventually led to the opening goal. His feet do look a step quicker, if still a little unconventional. He worked and was comfortable holding the puck and putting it into space for others. It sounds like he might play center this year in Owen Sound, which would be interesting. I liked him this weekend and expect him to have a big year in the OHL.

Borya Valis, F (Signed NHL): Valis played just the first of the Leafs’ two games; I didn’t like his first half, but he settled in as the game went on. He was around the puck, but I still have questions about the IQ piece (I don’t think he processes quite fast enough at times).

Cooper Williams, F (Round 5, 2026): Williams was invisible in both games. His game is just too low-paced and low-energy that his cerebral on-puck play never gets the chance to showcase itself. He looked a step behind.

Ben Danford, D (Round 1, 2024): Danford played in just one of the Leafs’ two games. I thought he made his decisions quickly off puck, skated well, and looked strong. He had a couple of defensive miscues and also took two penalties (the first one was debatable), but I thought he mostly handled himself well. His game has a comfort and efficiency to it that shows at this level.

Alexander Bilecki, D (Round 2, 2026): Both of Bilecki’s two games were mixed bags. Offensively, he made some plays, held onto pucks inside the offensive zone when he needed to and sped it up when he had to or an option opened up. He also scored on a great shot in Game 2 and had multiple east-west moments finding guys on the weak side. Defensively, though, he looked rushed a little at times too. His defensive detail needs some buttoning up still. He also stumbled over his feet a couple times, including on a 3-on-1 that turned into a 3-on-0. I thought he showed real promise offensively and that his game is still a work in progress on the other side of the puck.

Vinny Borgesi, D (Signed NHL): Borgesi was a standout in both games and scored on a beautiful shot in motion to make it 2-1 in the second. Good gaps. Good stick. Active feet. Head up. Tried things, sometimes in some places where he maybe shouldn’t have. He looks small, even in this age cohort as one of the older players, but his mobility and poise counteract it. I don’t know if that’ll ever be enough to become more than a call-up option, but he should become a solid AHL D. I like how talkative he is too.

Noah Chadwick, D (Round 6, 2023): Chadwick’s feet still look a notch below what’s needed for him to become an NHLer. He’s fine (he’ll block shots, he’s smart enough, etc.) but he just doesn’t grab you or the game. Too ordinary for the next level has always been my view, and he looked that way again to me. I liked his stick on the PK, and he came up with a big shift late in the Jets game.

Patriks Plumins, G (Round 4, 2026): Plumins started the second of the Leafs’ two games and was mostly solid. His rebound control was a little iffy at times, and his posts bailed him out on some clean beats, but his tracking, anticipation and positioning all looked strong, and he gets to shots early because of it. He made some big saves, including one on a two-on-zero going post-to-post.

Winnipeg Jets

Viggo Björck, F (Round 1, 2026): Björck was very good, as he usually is. His ability to make little small-area plays really sets him apart at this level. He was in on goals and plays. He created from the wall, had deflections of his own in front, and set up his teammates. He was noticeable on cycle, shedding checks along the wall and supported play well. His skating looks good. He scored an excellent opening goal in Game 1, showing poise under pressure in his own zone, creating the exit and entry, taking away the defenceman’s stick, and then playing give-and-go with Yager into a wraparound (a 200-foot play for a 200-foot player). He got hemmed in for a minus on his first shift of Game 2 (which he was quieter in on the whole but also picked up an assist in with a quick decision shorthanded) but settled in after that. I’m excited to see what he does in main camp.

Brayden Yager, F (Round 1, 2023): Yager wore a letter and was one of the Jets’ better players without rising to outright standout. He was on the puck. He showed his quick hands, including comfort on his backhand. His curl and drag and stops and starts created some looks and rebounds. He had points in both games. A solid start for a player I expect to take a step this season.

Colby Barlow, F (Round 1, 2023): Barlow wore a letter and played in both games. His feet still look heavy, but he worked and got in on guys to be disruptive on the forecheck. His challenge is that not only are his first couple of steps clunky, but even at speed he also struggles to adjust or take guys laterally, resulting in a lot of straight-on rush shots. He didn’t score, but he had a couple of looks going to the net. Last year was a disappointing one for him, and it’s now imperative that he takes a step in Year 2 in the AHL. His shot still pops off his blade, and he can build steam once he gets going, as he did in both games on a couple of rush sequences, but his creativity and options into the zone are limited. I expect him to score more than eight goals this year!

Kevin He, F (Round 4, 2024): He had some good looks late in his two games after easing into each, and played on Björck’s wing in both. He played into contact and showed his pace at times, and scored the 3-0 goal against the Habs, finding a loose puck in the crease. He was mostly just fine, though, and while he was an excellent junior player and can skate and handle the puck, I’m not sure what his NHL path looks like.

Owen Martin, F (Round 3, 2025): I had time for Martin in his draft year, but he wasn’t noticeable and faces an uphill battle to get signed.

Kieron Walton, F (Round 6, 2024): I would have liked to see Walton play a little harder and impose himself more in the first game (he can reach in too much for a guy that big), but he had a bunch of looks in Game 2. He was owed more than he got (he hit a couple of posts and was stopped on a two-on-zero backdoor pass from Barlow). His goal late against the Leafs was due and showed his hands and dexterity for a big man taking a puck off the wall and patting it in at the post. He has become a nice story for the Jets, and I’m interested to see how the pro jump goes for him.

Jacob Julien, F (Round 5, 2023): Good in the faceoff circle and relied upon/responsible defensively. Needs to be harder on pucks at times (still doesn’t have the body). Julien tipped a goal on the power play in Game 2. Had a breakaway he created by winning a foot race down ice against a good skater in Vinny Borgesi (though Borgesi was flat-footed) as well. Good stick. Don’t see an NHL future, but he should settle in as a solid bottom-six AHLer this season.

Garrett Brown, D (Round 4, 2022): Brown played just the opener and was solid. Good skater. Got back to pucks and winning foot races. Competed. He should be a solid partner for someone with the Moose this year.

Alfons Freij, D (Round 2, 2024): Freij’s adjustability against coverage was noticeable amongst the D in the tournament. He set some bad gaps and made some bad reads defensively, but also showed some real poise at times under pressure in his own zone, jumped off the line a few times, beat the forecheck and was better in Game 2 than Game 1. He also had a curl-and-drag rip that cleanly beat Plumins off the bar but rang out. His ability to go from his heels to his toes is a real asset and should allow him to be an offensive AHL D. More than that? Who knows.

Alexandre Taillefer, D (Round 5, 2026): His edges looked smooth. His execution was not always on target (put some passes into feet or icings and didn’t have the muscle to clear the zone at times). He also needs to be more aware of his surroundings at times (shoulder checks, etc.). But he went outside-in one-on-one a couple times on guys, was better in the second game, and could really benefit from getting stronger so that he can just be firmer all over the ice.

Samuel Hrenak, G (Round 2, 2026): Hrenak started the opener against the Canadiens and impressed. He made a huge post-to-post save, flashing his athleticism on a cross-crease play in transition. He showed good habits and quick feet. I liked his tracking. I liked his hands/reflexes/dexterity. He even went for the empty net and nearly scored. It was a strong debut from a goalie I have a lot of time for.

Montreal Canadiens

Parker Trottier, F (Round 6, 2026): Trottier played down the middle in both games in his first rookie tournament and handled himself admirably. Showed his jump and sticktoitiveness. Finesse skills aren’t all there, but he works. Good skater. Won foot races.

Alexander Legkov, F (Signed AHL): I wouldn’t normally include guys on AHL contracts in a notebook like this, but Legkov was a talking point this weekend and the only player on the Canadiens roster I’d never watched play or heard of entering the tournament (he played in the FPHL the last couple of years!). He was also the only Habs player who seemed comfortable with the puck on his stick, attacking guys and handling it at this level. He was noticeable early and consistently so in the opener. He held onto it too much at times, but maybe that was just noticeable because nobody else on the roster would. He needs to get stronger (he fell down a lot), but that’ll come. Great instincts offensively. Had a ton of looks and could have had a couple more.

Wesley Royston, F (Round 6, 2026): Royston looked out of his depth. A heavyweight scrap was his most notable moment.

Tyler Thorpe, F (Round 5, 2024): Thorpe was physically involved and knocked guys over because of his strength. Feet are heavy, though, too, and his game is very simple. Goes to good spots and understands timing, though. I view him as an AHLer.

Owen Protz, D (Round 4, 2024): Protz was fine. He stepped up on gaps, played physically, showed good instincts defensively breaking up some plays and carried some pucks through neutral ice.

Luke Mittelstadt, D (Round 7, 2023): Mittelstadt wore the “C” and looked the part. He was extremely talkative, got out in transition, played a heady two-way game and made one of the plays of the tournament going end-to-end to set up Josh Nadeau’s hat-trick goal against the Senators.

Tour du chapeau pour Josh Nadeau! 🧢

Josh Nadeau completes the hat trick!

MTL 4, OTT 3#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/j37M1k3p5j

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 14, 2026

Brayden Klimpke, D (Round 4, 2026): I thought Klimpke was just OK.

Arseni Radkov, G (Round 3, 2025): Radkov started the opener and lost his net a little at times. He doesn’t seem to have the hockey IQ piece that almost all NHL goalies now have. Traits are there, but his movement, reads and decisions leave a lot to be desired.