Steven Ellis
@stevenpellis.ca
Associate Editor and Prospect Analyst for Daily Faceoff. Leafs stories for The Leafs Nation. Greatest iRacer ever.
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Time for a new #NHLDraft Rankings.
Lots of movement since the last one, including in the top 10:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
Lots of movement since the last one, including in the top 10:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
2026 NHL Draft Rankings: Midseason top 64
The race for No. 1 is tight – extremely tight. Who'll go first overall when everything is said and done?
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Time for a new #NHLDraft Rankings.
Lots of movement since the last one, including in the top 10:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
Lots of movement since the last one, including in the top 10:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
New @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social #NHLDraft list coming out tomorrow.
January 29, 2026 at 4:44 PM
New @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social #NHLDraft list coming out tomorrow.
Do you like watching prospects?
I took a look at the future NHLers heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Dans Locmelis, Adam Gajan, Alberts Smits and more:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-nhl...
I took a look at the future NHLers heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Dans Locmelis, Adam Gajan, Alberts Smits and more:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-nhl...
Top NHL prospects to watch at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Olympics won't just be for the game's superstars – the next wave of NHL talent will also look to make an impact.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Do you like watching prospects?
I took a look at the future NHLers heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Dans Locmelis, Adam Gajan, Alberts Smits and more:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-nhl...
I took a look at the future NHLers heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Dans Locmelis, Adam Gajan, Alberts Smits and more:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-nhl...
We saw plenty of prospects move ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.
So, I checked in to see how all of them are doing, including Nikita Grebenkin, Calum Ritchie, Fraser Minten and Will Zellers:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/how-top...
So, I checked in to see how all of them are doing, including Nikita Grebenkin, Calum Ritchie, Fraser Minten and Will Zellers:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/how-top...
How the top prospects dealt at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline are doing now
Some players have boosted their stock, while others have graduated out of prospect status.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:44 PM
We saw plenty of prospects move ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.
So, I checked in to see how all of them are doing, including Nikita Grebenkin, Calum Ritchie, Fraser Minten and Will Zellers:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/how-top...
So, I checked in to see how all of them are doing, including Nikita Grebenkin, Calum Ritchie, Fraser Minten and Will Zellers:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/how-top...
With the NHL Trade Deadline coming up in March, I looked at five seller teams with plenty of trade assets:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
2026 NHL Trade Deadline: Ranking the top five seller teams in assets
You have to know when it's time to sell off – and these five teams seem primed to do so this spring.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:48 PM
With the NHL Trade Deadline coming up in March, I looked at five seller teams with plenty of trade assets:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
I put together Google Calendars so you can subscribe and find all the game times for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Men's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Women's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Men's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Women's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
January 26, 2026 at 8:41 PM
I put together Google Calendars so you can subscribe and find all the game times for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Men's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Women's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Men's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
Women's: calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0...
2026 #NHL prospect Simas Ignatavicius is expected to become the third Lithuanian-born player to get drafted.
The others? Darius Kasparitis (5th overall in 1992) and Dainius Zubrus (15th in 1996).
Ignatavicius could make it a perfect 3-for-3 in the first round all-time for 🇱🇹.
That's efficient.
The others? Darius Kasparitis (5th overall in 1992) and Dainius Zubrus (15th in 1996).
Ignatavicius could make it a perfect 3-for-3 in the first round all-time for 🇱🇹.
That's efficient.
January 26, 2026 at 8:22 PM
2026 #NHL prospect Simas Ignatavicius is expected to become the third Lithuanian-born player to get drafted.
The others? Darius Kasparitis (5th overall in 1992) and Dainius Zubrus (15th in 1996).
Ignatavicius could make it a perfect 3-for-3 in the first round all-time for 🇱🇹.
That's efficient.
The others? Darius Kasparitis (5th overall in 1992) and Dainius Zubrus (15th in 1996).
Ignatavicius could make it a perfect 3-for-3 in the first round all-time for 🇱🇹.
That's efficient.
It's time for my first 2026 NHL Mock Draft.
The Canucks have had the best odds of landing the first overall pick for a while now.
Making the first selection won't be that easy this year:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
The Canucks have had the best odds of landing the first overall pick for a while now.
Making the first selection won't be that easy this year:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
2026 NHL Mock Draft: And with the first pick, the Canucks take…
Gavin McKenna has been the top prospect throughout the year, but is that still the case?
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM
It's time for my first 2026 NHL Mock Draft.
The Canucks have had the best odds of landing the first overall pick for a while now.
Making the first selection won't be that easy this year:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
The Canucks have had the best odds of landing the first overall pick for a while now.
Making the first selection won't be that easy this year:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
John Gibson has been the NHL's top goaltender since Dec. 1.
The #LGRW are better when he's in net – and he deserves some Vezina Trophy love right now:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/detroit...
The #LGRW are better when he's in net – and he deserves some Vezina Trophy love right now:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/detroit...
Red Wings’ John Gibson has thrust himself into the Vezina Trophy conversation
Gibson has been the NHL’s most dominant goaltender over the past two months, helping to get the Red Wings near...
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:57 PM
John Gibson has been the NHL's top goaltender since Dec. 1.
The #LGRW are better when he's in net – and he deserves some Vezina Trophy love right now:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/detroit...
The #LGRW are better when he's in net – and he deserves some Vezina Trophy love right now:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/detroit...
I broke down five NHL trades that aged the best from the 2025 trade deadline.
From landing quality prospects, to getting important players for a Stanley Cup run, these five deals have looked good so far:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/which-2...
From landing quality prospects, to getting important players for a Stanley Cup run, these five deals have looked good so far:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/which-2...
Which 2025 NHL Trade Deadline deals aged the best?
From long-term bets to short-term success, there were a handful of quality deals made last season.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I broke down five NHL trades that aged the best from the 2025 trade deadline.
From landing quality prospects, to getting important players for a Stanley Cup run, these five deals have looked good so far:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/which-2...
From landing quality prospects, to getting important players for a Stanley Cup run, these five deals have looked good so far:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/which-2...
We know NHL goaltending can be a bit fickle.
I looked at a few veterans coming off down years who have turned things around in 2025-26:
dailyfaceoff.com/three-nhl-go...
I looked at a few veterans coming off down years who have turned things around in 2025-26:
dailyfaceoff.com/three-nhl-go...
Three NHL goaltenders enjoying career revivals in 2025-26
Goaltending can be so fickle in the NHL, but these three have found ways to get back into relevancy this year.
dailyfaceoff.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:04 PM
We know NHL goaltending can be a bit fickle.
I looked at a few veterans coming off down years who have turned things around in 2025-26:
dailyfaceoff.com/three-nhl-go...
I looked at a few veterans coming off down years who have turned things around in 2025-26:
dailyfaceoff.com/three-nhl-go...
Working on my first mock draft of the 2026 #NHLDraft season, which comes out Friday.
The crop of defenders challenging for top 10 spots will make things very interesting.
The crop of defenders challenging for top 10 spots will make things very interesting.
January 20, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Working on my first mock draft of the 2026 #NHLDraft season, which comes out Friday.
The crop of defenders challenging for top 10 spots will make things very interesting.
The crop of defenders challenging for top 10 spots will make things very interesting.
I took a look at five players taken 100th overall or later at the 2025 #NHLDraft who look like early steals.
Ethan Wyttenbach and LJ Mooney lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-fiv...
Ethan Wyttenbach and LJ Mooney lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-fiv...
Top five late-round steals from the 2025 NHL Draft so far
These five players have found ways to punch above their weight just a few months after the draft.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:35 PM
I took a look at five players taken 100th overall or later at the 2025 #NHLDraft who look like early steals.
Ethan Wyttenbach and LJ Mooney lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-fiv...
Ethan Wyttenbach and LJ Mooney lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/top-fiv...
January 18, 2026 at 5:21 PM
I took a look at 10 of the top goaltenders for the 2026 #NHLDraft.
Brady Knowling, Michal Oršulák and Tobias Trejbal lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh... @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social
Brady Knowling, Michal Oršulák and Tobias Trejbal lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh... @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social
2026 NHL Draft: Top 10 goaltenders you need to know
Need a goalie with size? There's no shortage of options available this year.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:34 PM
I took a look at 10 of the top goaltenders for the 2026 #NHLDraft.
Brady Knowling, Michal Oršulák and Tobias Trejbal lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh... @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social
Brady Knowling, Michal Oršulák and Tobias Trejbal lead the way:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh... @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social
Team Blue has beaten Team White to win the 2026 All-American Game 5-4.
A look at some of the top #NHLDraft prospect standouts from this one, including Wyatt Cullen, Brody George and Tobias Trejbal.
For @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra...
A look at some of the top #NHLDraft prospect standouts from this one, including Wyatt Cullen, Brody George and Tobias Trejbal.
For @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra...
2026 NHL Draft: Top standouts from USA Hockey All-American Game
The battle featured the top NHL Draft-eligible talent from both the USHL and the USNTDP.
dailyfaceoff.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Team Blue has beaten Team White to win the 2026 All-American Game 5-4.
A look at some of the top #NHLDraft prospect standouts from this one, including Wyatt Cullen, Brody George and Tobias Trejbal.
For @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra...
A look at some of the top #NHLDraft prospect standouts from this one, including Wyatt Cullen, Brody George and Tobias Trejbal.
For @dailyfaceoff.bsky.social:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra...
We know the big names who will challenge for the Calder Trophy this year.
Today, though, I wanted to look at five under-the-radar rookies making noise this season.
Players from #NHLBruins, #LetsGoPens, #Canucks and #ALLCAPS are represented:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/five-un...
Today, though, I wanted to look at five under-the-radar rookies making noise this season.
Players from #NHLBruins, #LetsGoPens, #Canucks and #ALLCAPS are represented:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/five-un...
Five under-the-radar rookies making noise in the 2026 NHL Calder Trophy race
These freshmen won’t receive much voter love but have helped their teams nonetheless.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:49 PM
We know the big names who will challenge for the Calder Trophy this year.
Today, though, I wanted to look at five under-the-radar rookies making noise this season.
Players from #NHLBruins, #LetsGoPens, #Canucks and #ALLCAPS are represented:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/five-un...
Today, though, I wanted to look at five under-the-radar rookies making noise this season.
Players from #NHLBruins, #LetsGoPens, #Canucks and #ALLCAPS are represented:
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/five-un...
It was another great OHL Top Prospects Game, with the West winning this one 4-3.
A look at the top standouts, including Adam Novotny, Rylan Singh and Chase Reid:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra... #NHLDraft
A look at the top standouts, including Adam Novotny, Rylan Singh and Chase Reid:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra... #NHLDraft
2026 NHL Draft: Top standouts from OHL Top Prospects Game
West beat East 4-2, with both conferences having now won the all-star showcase.
dailyfaceoff.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:30 AM
It was another great OHL Top Prospects Game, with the West winning this one 4-3.
A look at the top standouts, including Adam Novotny, Rylan Singh and Chase Reid:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra... #NHLDraft
A look at the top standouts, including Adam Novotny, Rylan Singh and Chase Reid:
dailyfaceoff.com/2026-nhl-dra... #NHLDraft
Myles Brosnan, Justin Graf, Danny Klaers, Will Tomko, and Tobias Trejbal have been added to the All-American Game tomorrow in Plymouth.
Rudolfs Berzkalns, Sam Wathier, Nick Bogas, Brady Knowling and Tynan Lawrence will not participate. #NHLDraft
Rudolfs Berzkalns, Sam Wathier, Nick Bogas, Brady Knowling and Tynan Lawrence will not participate. #NHLDraft
January 14, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Myles Brosnan, Justin Graf, Danny Klaers, Will Tomko, and Tobias Trejbal have been added to the All-American Game tomorrow in Plymouth.
Rudolfs Berzkalns, Sam Wathier, Nick Bogas, Brady Knowling and Tynan Lawrence will not participate. #NHLDraft
Rudolfs Berzkalns, Sam Wathier, Nick Bogas, Brady Knowling and Tynan Lawrence will not participate. #NHLDraft
Lines for the OHL Top Prospects Game tonight in Peterborough.
Puck drop set for a little after 7:00 p.m.
Puck drop set for a little after 7:00 p.m.
January 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Lines for the OHL Top Prospects Game tonight in Peterborough.
Puck drop set for a little after 7:00 p.m.
Puck drop set for a little after 7:00 p.m.
Benjamin Rautiainen was passed over twice at the #NHLDraft, but the Tampa Bay Lightning took him in the fourth round last season.
He's currently tracking for 83 points in Liiga. No U-21 player has ever broken past 80, and that would be one of the best outputs in league history.
He's currently tracking for 83 points in Liiga. No U-21 player has ever broken past 80, and that would be one of the best outputs in league history.
January 14, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Benjamin Rautiainen was passed over twice at the #NHLDraft, but the Tampa Bay Lightning took him in the fourth round last season.
He's currently tracking for 83 points in Liiga. No U-21 player has ever broken past 80, and that would be one of the best outputs in league history.
He's currently tracking for 83 points in Liiga. No U-21 player has ever broken past 80, and that would be one of the best outputs in league history.
We've all had time to marinate since the 2026 #WorldJuniors.
So I took a look at how 15 prospects from the #NHLDraft performed, including a few re-entry options.
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
So I took a look at how 15 prospects from the #NHLDraft performed, including a few re-entry options.
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
2026 NHL Draft: Scouting 15 top prospects from the World Juniors
From future top 10 picks to potential late-round steals, these 15 stood out above the rest.
www.dailyfaceoff.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:52 PM
We've all had time to marinate since the 2026 #WorldJuniors.
So I took a look at how 15 prospects from the #NHLDraft performed, including a few re-entry options.
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
So I took a look at how 15 prospects from the #NHLDraft performed, including a few re-entry options.
www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nh...
Oakville will host one of my favorite events, the U17 World Hockey Challenge, from Nov. 1-7, 2026.
All games will be played at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.
All games will be played at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.
January 14, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Oakville will host one of my favorite events, the U17 World Hockey Challenge, from Nov. 1-7, 2026.
All games will be played at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.
All games will be played at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex.