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The OHL Playoffs begin Thursday night with an opening round that will showcase many top 2026 NHL Draft-eligible players in the league. There are few better opportunities to prove yourself to NHL scouts than during the postseason, when the stakes are highest and the games are the toughest.
There are a ton of first-year NHL Draft-eligible players that will be hoping to put their best foot forward to potentially improve their stock as they enter the postseason foray. One that will not be, at least not in the early stages, is Windsor Spitfires forward Ethan Belchetz. He remains out indefnitely after undergoing surgery.
Here’s a look at 10 of the most prominent and/or intriguing NHL Draft prospects that will be looking to make a bigger name for themselves in the postseason.
Considered by some to be the No. 1 defenseman available for the 2026 NHL Draft, Reid got healthy at the right time for the Soo Greyhounds. The 18-year-old had missed nearly two months, but managed to play in the Soo’s last three games of the regular season. The U.S. World Junior player had 48 points in 45 games and is a true two-way defenseman with elite skating ability. His size and athleticism will be assets for the Greyhounds as they look to make a run. They'll have to get through the defending champion London Knights first.
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An 84-point season for Malhotra in his first OHL campaign exceeded expectations, especially considering he would be an inexperienced player on a loaded team. Malhotra became a key figure for the first-place Bulldogs as a two-way center who showed an ability to score at a high rate. Malhotra posted 84 points to finish 12th in the league and second among rookies. Now into the postseason, Brantford is favored and another strong showing in this critical juncture will only enhance Malhotra’s stock. He very well could be the first center off the board in June.
The OHL scoring champion with 97 points, Klepov is a magician with the puck on his stick and is the kind of player that will get you up out of your seat. Saginaw has a tough road ahead in their postseason quest taking on first-place Kitchener in the Western Conference showdown. Should Klepov maintain a productive output in the tougher postseason contests, his high stock should remain strong.
Novotny just seems like a ready-made player for postseason hockey. He’s strong, has good two-way sense and plays the game hard. His strength and scoring ability should help Peterborough in what will be a challenging series with North Bay. Novotny netted 34 goals this season, which was 13th in the league.
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Cover is starting to pick up a little more first-round buzz after a 20-goal, 52-point season for London. The rookie winger has some clear upside due to his hockey smarts and good-enough skill. He also has a good work ethic away from the puck and can make his presence felt in a variety of ways, especially with his willingness to go to the hard areas and play on the interior.
Owen Sound will not be favored in their first-round series with the high-scoring Flint Firebirds, but Mbuyi can still do more to make a case with the scouts. Though undersized, he has been a dominant scorer in the OHL. He surpassed 30 goals this season and being able to deliver in the heavier, harder playoffs may help ease some concerns about his size.
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The 67’s have been outstanding this season and Vandenberg has made a strong case for himself over the course of the season to be drafted at least early on Day 2 at the Draft. He is especially young for the draft class, born a week before the cutoff, and put up 50 points in his first OHL season. Ottawa has some legit aspirations and he can be a big part of pushing this team deeper into the postseason.
Fetterolf’s NHL prospects may be limited some by his size, but few goalies were better from start to finish this season in the OHL. The first-year netminder for Ottawa had 29 wins, six shutouts and posted a sterling .923 save percentage while allowing the fewest goals in the league. Scouts are always looking for big goalies, but Fetterolf is giving them all a reason to pay closer attention to him this season.
Watch Live
A prospect on the rise, Cali’s numbers will not jump out at you, but he has size, two-way skills and he is finding his scoring touch more and more. Cali had 10 points over his last nine games of the regular season and continues strengthening his case to be an early Day 2 pick for the draft.
The big question is if Roobroeck will be healthy enough to return for the postseason. He’s missed significant time with a lower-body injury and it is unclear if he makes the postseason lineup for Niagara. His draft stock has slipped all season, but a good last impression in the playoffs if he is available would go a long way.
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the AHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
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There are a ton of first-year NHL Draft-eligible players that will be hoping to put their best foot forward to potentially improve their stock as they enter the postseason foray. One that will not be, at least not in the early stages, is Windsor Spitfires forward Ethan Belchetz. He remains out indefnitely after undergoing surgery.
Here’s a look at 10 of the most prominent and/or intriguing NHL Draft prospects that will be looking to make a bigger name for themselves in the postseason.
Ten NHL Draft Prospects To Watch In OHL Playoffs
Chase Reid, D, Soo Greyhounds
Considered by some to be the No. 1 defenseman available for the 2026 NHL Draft, Reid got healthy at the right time for the Soo Greyhounds. The 18-year-old had missed nearly two months, but managed to play in the Soo’s last three games of the regular season. The U.S. World Junior player had 48 points in 45 games and is a true two-way defenseman with elite skating ability. His size and athleticism will be assets for the Greyhounds as they look to make a run. They'll have to get through the defending champion London Knights first.
Watch Live
2026 Soo Greyhounds vs London Knights
Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs
An 84-point season for Malhotra in his first OHL campaign exceeded expectations, especially considering he would be an inexperienced player on a loaded team. Malhotra became a key figure for the first-place Bulldogs as a two-way center who showed an ability to score at a high rate. Malhotra posted 84 points to finish 12th in the league and second among rookies. Now into the postseason, Brantford is favored and another strong showing in this critical juncture will only enhance Malhotra’s stock. He very well could be the first center off the board in June.
Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit
The OHL scoring champion with 97 points, Klepov is a magician with the puck on his stick and is the kind of player that will get you up out of your seat. Saginaw has a tough road ahead in their postseason quest taking on first-place Kitchener in the Western Conference showdown. Should Klepov maintain a productive output in the tougher postseason contests, his high stock should remain strong.
Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough Petes
Novotny just seems like a ready-made player for postseason hockey. He’s strong, has good two-way sense and plays the game hard. His strength and scoring ability should help Peterborough in what will be a challenging series with North Bay. Novotny netted 34 goals this season, which was 13th in the league.
Watch Live
2026 North Bay Battalion vs Peterborough Petes
Jaxon Cover, LW, London Knights
Cover is starting to pick up a little more first-round buzz after a 20-goal, 52-point season for London. The rookie winger has some clear upside due to his hockey smarts and good-enough skill. He also has a good work ethic away from the puck and can make his presence felt in a variety of ways, especially with his willingness to go to the hard areas and play on the interior.
Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack
Owen Sound will not be favored in their first-round series with the high-scoring Flint Firebirds, but Mbuyi can still do more to make a case with the scouts. Though undersized, he has been a dominant scorer in the OHL. He surpassed 30 goals this season and being able to deliver in the heavier, harder playoffs may help ease some concerns about his size.
Watch Live
2026 Owen Sound Attack vs Flint Firebirds
Thomas Vandenberg, C, Ottawa 67’s
The 67’s have been outstanding this season and Vandenberg has made a strong case for himself over the course of the season to be drafted at least early on Day 2 at the Draft. He is especially young for the draft class, born a week before the cutoff, and put up 50 points in his first OHL season. Ottawa has some legit aspirations and he can be a big part of pushing this team deeper into the postseason.
Ryder Fetterolf, G, Ottawa 67’s
Fetterolf’s NHL prospects may be limited some by his size, but few goalies were better from start to finish this season in the OHL. The first-year netminder for Ottawa had 29 wins, six shutouts and posted a sterling .923 save percentage while allowing the fewest goals in the league. Scouts are always looking for big goalies, but Fetterolf is giving them all a reason to pay closer attention to him this season.
Watch Live
2026 Kingston Frontenacs vs Ottawa 67's
Ryder Cali, C, North Bay Battalion
A prospect on the rise, Cali’s numbers will not jump out at you, but he has size, two-way skills and he is finding his scoring touch more and more. Cali had 10 points over his last nine games of the regular season and continues strengthening his case to be an early Day 2 pick for the draft.
Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara IceDogs
The big question is if Roobroeck will be healthy enough to return for the postseason. He’s missed significant time with a lower-body injury and it is unclear if he makes the postseason lineup for Niagara. His draft stock has slipped all season, but a good last impression in the playoffs if he is available would go a long way.
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL, USHL And More On FloHockey
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the AHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
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