2026 NHL Draft Live Blog

The latest from the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, NY.

Day Two

NAME: KJ Sauer

POSITION: Center

TEAM/LEAGUE: Andover High School – High-MN

VITALS: 6’3.25”, 202 lbs.

BIRTHDATE: October 24, 2007

BIRTHPLACE: Andover, Minnesota

SHOOTS: Right

Scouting Report:

Split time between Minnesota High School hockey with Andover and the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in 2025-26.
Registered five points (2g,3a) in five games with Lincoln and appeared in eight playoff games, scoring once.
In the 2024-25 season, Sauer registered 32 points (17g,15a) in 30 games for Andover.
His Father, Kent, was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 4th round (88th Overall) of the 1998 NHL Draft.

Pick 120:

NAME: Marek Sklenicka         

POSITION: Goaltender 

TEAM/LEAGUE: Seattle Thunderbirds – WHL 

VITALS: 6’2.75”, 170 lbs. 

BIRTHDATE: August 27, 2008 

BIRTHPLACE: Litinov, Czechia 

CATCHES: Left 

Scouting Report: 

The Hockey Writers

“His athletic foundation is his most bankable asset. The lateral quickness and reactive saves are not teachable in the same way that positioning and rebound control are.”

·       In 2025-26, completed his first season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with Seattle and played in 42 games with a record of 20-12-6. Posted a 3.21 GAA, .902 SV%, and three shutouts.

o   In four playoff games had a record of 1-2-1 with a 3.67 GAA and a .913 SV%.

·       Participated in the 2026 WHL Prospects Game

·       Won Bronze with Team Czechia in the 2026 U-18 World Championships, playing in three games going 2-1 with a 1.91 GAA and a .921 SV%.

·       Scouts have compared him to Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus Blue Jackets). He's very strong in the crease, holds his ground and is strong when in an in-tight situation. He challenges smartly, always alert, tracks pucks well through traffic and has good, quick lateral ability. He gets his body in front of a lot of shots with his good angle and positional play.

Pick 63:

NAME: Martin Psohlavec       

POSITION: Goaltender 

TEAM/LEAGUE: Karlovy Vary JR – Czechia U-20 

VITALS: 6’5”, 185 lbs. 

BIRTHDATE: May 6, 2008 

BIRTHPLACE: Ostrov, Czechia 

CATCHES: Left 

Scouting Report:

Upside Hockey

“Psohlavec is a hybrid goalie who seems to have a bit of everything, but isn't at an elite level in any one area yet. He is huge, and covers a ton of net, showing the ability to make quick, calculated, and efficient movements around his crease with reasonably good control, but there are some who would like him to be a little more explosive, and a lot more fluid.”

·       Played in 42 games for Karlovy Vary of Czechia’s U-20 League with a record of 31-11-0 while posting a 1.92 goals-against average (GAA) and a .928 save percentage (SV%). Additionally, he posted a 1.78 GAA and a .925 SV% in eight playoff appearances.

·       Represented Team Czechia in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, starting in three games and posting a 2.00 GAA and a .875 SV%. 

·       Won Bronze with Team Czechia in the U-18 World Championships, playing in four games going 3-1 with a 1.68 GAA and a .926 SV%. 

·       Scouts are impressed with his hands, because he doesn't give opponents much to shoot at up high. He put up some remarkable numbers all season, including eight shutouts at the Czech U-20 level and a solid overall record at the U18s.

Pick 53:

NAME: Brek Liske  

POSITION: Defense 

TEAM/LEAGUE: Everett Silvertips – WHL 

VITALS: 6’1.25”, 190 lbs. 

BIRTHDATE: January 9, 2008 

BIRTHPLACE: Beausejour, Manitoba 

SHOOTS: Right 

Scouting Report: 

Tom Watson, SMAHT Scouting

“All of his attributes are helped in part by his high motor. He’s not necessarily the fastest or most explosive player and he doesn’t come galloping up the ice like some of the higher touted D-Men in this draft class, but he works hard and keeps moving, and this often means he’s winning races and getting in the right positions. Even when he’s on the point, he likes to stay in motion.”

·       In his third season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with Everett and registered 24 points (7g,17a) in 52 games. Appeared in 18 playoff games and registered 17 points (4g,13a), helping Everett win the WHL Championship.

·       Previously played in 66 games with Everett and contributed 11 points (2g,9a) in the 2024-25 season. 

·       The puck keeps moving when Liske is on the ice, and he has the square, fundamental, and physical defense to play back on the rush. He doesn’t jump off the page but plays a reliable style that should only grow as he becomes a more physical, and stronger defender, similar to Brock Faber.

Day One