Caleb Desnoyers poses with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by the Utah Mammoth with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the 2025 Upper Deck NHL Draft at the Peacock Theater on June 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Just one week from today the Utah Mammoth will welcome more young players into their prospect pool as they prepare to make seven selections in the 2026 NHL Draft.
While this year may not be as exciting as the organization won’t select inside the top 10 for the first time since 2020, there’s still plenty of talent that’ll be available when Utah is on the clock at No. 19.
The following is a list of five players the Mammoth should consider with their first-round selection in the NHL Draft.
Despite a smaller frame than most of the towering defensemen Bill Armstrong has selected in the first round over the past few years, Tommy Bleyl possesses superior offensive skills that could make him an absolute steal at No. 19.
What he lacks in size and physicality Bleyl makes up for with elite puck control, vision, agility, premier skating, sound positioning, a quick stick and the ability to quarterback the power-play.
200′ for the lead https://t.co/yTNzLyyWVH pic.twitter.com/a9Gz8xiYcD
— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) April 10, 2026
As the reigning QMJHL Defenseman of the Year and the CHL’s best Defensive Rookie, Bleyl took the Q by storm this past season as he led all skaters during the regular season in assists (68) while registering the most points by a defenseman (81) and leading the league in power play points (42).
“I’ve never really had a lack of confidence that defensemen like me couldn’t play in the NHL,” Bleyl told CalgaryFlames.com when asked about Canadiens blueliner Lane Hutson this past season. “Guys like them really do boost that confidence. That was already there in the first place. It’s really fun to see how they are, how they manage to be successful.”
“The number one thing is being competitive, staying positive throughout adversity and stuff like that.”
We lead on a powerplay goal. https://t.co/hPvlnHvZ7l pic.twitter.com/2vEACHI430
— Moncton Wildcats (@monctonwildcats) March 6, 2026
Boasting a high upside, Bleyl has shot up most draft boards into the late teens and early twenties which could present Utah with the opportunity to bolster their defensive pipeline with a more offensive minded prospect.
In need of more scoring wingers in their arsenal, one forward who could answer the bell for the Mammoth at No. 19 is JP Hurlbert.
J.P. Hurlbert does is all offensively. Has a wicked shot, great hands, high hockey IQ and is a good playmaker.
He is also a strong player that hits hard. He does not throw his body around in a reckless manner. He leads with his hands to knock players leverage and when he has… pic.twitter.com/68muoaDbGz
— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) March 27, 2026
As demonstrated by his balanced offensive production, Hurlbert is a multi-threat forward with an NHL-caliber release, great hands and a high hockey IQ which allows him to quickly dissect defenses.
Additionally, the young winger is also willing to throw his body around but remains very intentional with his checks rather than being undisciplined.
JP Hurlbert. That’s the tweet. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/oSzqPAPcQe
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 11, 2026
Despite just an average skating ability and a defensive game that leaves a lot to be desired, Hurlbert could be worth taking a swing on at No. 19 as one of the purest scorers in the class.
When a European player moves to North America there’s usually a noticeable adjustment period due to the increased speed and physicality of the game.
However, for Czech native Adam Novotny, that was not the case as he consistently scorched the nets of the OHL in just his first season.
The shot and the celly get an A rating ✅
Adam Novotny impressed in front of scouts, scoring two beautiful goals in the #OHLTopProspects game last night.@PetesOHLhockey | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/0iqgUdJ9fC
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) January 15, 2026
Novas finds the back of the net 🚨
Adam Novotny gets the first @PetesOHLhockey goal of the game with a wraparound!#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/amVAT6EaRu
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 15, 2026
What made Novotny’s transition to the OHL so seamless was the fact that he already possesses a North American style game.
He’s heavy on the puck, battles in the dirty areas, attacks the net fearlessly, throws his body around and boasts a lethal NHL-caliber shot.
“He had a great tournament (in January),” Czechia National Junior Team coach Patrik Augusta told NHL.com. “He doesn’t put up the numbers, but he does the little things. He’s a very good character guy. He’s a powerful skater and is not afraid to go to the areas where it hurts … in the corners and in front of the net. He’s not afraid to take a hit, and he’s not afraid to give a hit.”
While his overall playmaking and vision require some attention, Novotny will likely be selected in the teens based on his balanced 200-foot-game and proven adjustment to the North American style.
If he’s still on the board at 19, it would be foolish for the Mammoth to pass on him.
Similar to Tommy Bleyl, Ryan Lin doesn’t necessarily match the build Bill Armstrong has preferred recently when selecting defenseman in the first round but that’s arguably a good thing.
After compiling a collection of towering skaters on their prospective blue line, a more offensive-minded puck moving defenseman is exactly what Utah should consider adding to their pipeline.
As one of the most explosive and composed D-men in the draft, Lin would be a phenomenal option for the Mammoth if he’s available.
“The thing about him is, it’s so impressive with the composure he has with the game,” Central Scouting director Dan Marr told NHL.com. “You cannot fluster this player. You can apply all the pressure you want; he just remains calm, cool and collected. When the puck is on his stick he’s got his head up, his feet moving, he knows what his options are, he executes the plays, even when he’s under pressure. When he’s under pressure, he knows to keep his feet moving, he knows the avenues where he should be placing the puck or advancing the puck.”
“It’s just the way he’s got that sense to see the ice, but the poise and composure when the puck is on his stick, that’s what makes him such a special prospect and makes him such a good player right now.”
SPARKSYYYY!!
16-year-old defenceman Ryan Lin to 16-year-old forward Tyus Sparks, it’s now a 3-2 game!@TheWHL pic.twitter.com/QzX2TcJHpn
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) December 5, 2024
Olson from Lin and Howell!! 🤩😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/2Cud4nrvAT
— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) December 19, 2025
GRAB. THAT. PUCK.
Ryan Lin with first WHL career goal! 👏
Linner now has 1 goal and 14 assist on the season (no biggie).@TheWHL pic.twitter.com/65EolIpPs2— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) November 25, 2024
As Marr pointed out, Lin’s greatest strength is arguably his composure with or without the puck regardless of the zone.
When he’s on the attack, he utilizes his elite vision to create dangerous scoring chances for his teammates while quarterbacking the power play at a high level and boasting a blistering shot of his own.
Defensively, while he’s somewhat limited physically due to his size, Lin’s awareness and IQ help him remain effective in the D-zone.
The biggest question regarding Lin is whether or not he’ll even be available at 19 which seems unlikely as many have him projected in the mid-teens with a chance to break into the top 10.
However, if he does happen to drop, he’d be an absolute steal for the Mammoth at 19.
As previously mentioned, the Mammoth could use a few more scoring wingers in their pipeline and Elton Hermansson just might be the answer.
In addition to a plethora of raw talent, the Swedish forward boasts elite hands, speed, skating, vision, sense and an absolutely wicked shot.
Elton Hermansson filthy move. He has great hands. His offensive potential is peaking at the right time pic.twitter.com/rSAZRDg3cK
— The Prospect Don (@TheProspectDon) May 1, 2026
Elton Hermansson just pulled one of the most casual Michigans I’ve ever seen live…. and it was called back for an offside.
womp womp pic.twitter.com/Jv3suOjsnl
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) April 22, 2026
What scouts and analysts like about Hermansson is that he’s flashy.
Possessing a filthy collection of dekes and moves, Hermansson can singlehandedly undress an entire defense to create dangerous scoring chances for either himself or a teammate.
What they don’t like is that he leaves a lot to be desired in the defensive zone, although most of that seems to be a result of effort rather than skill or awareness.
That can be managed and addressed as he develops.
But based on his offensive upside and the need for more scoring wingers, Hermansson should be heavily considered over most other prospects if he’s still available when the Mammoth are on the clock.
The next notable event for the Utah Mammoth will be the NHL Draft on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 5 p.m. MT.
