Scout’s Analysis: Notes from NHL scouting combine interviews

The 2026 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo is heading towards conclusion on Saturday. Most of the prospects have completed their interviews and are now moving into the grueling physical testing portion of the combine. 

This year’s group of players has been very impressive so far. I can honestly report I have not encountered one prospect who has interviewed poorly with our team from Sportsnet. Our group of includes draft producer Scott Lennox, as well as Ailish Forfar, Justin Bourne and our energizer bunnies Sam Cosentino and Colby Armstrong.

Here are some of my notes so far from Buffalo:

The number of interviews each prospect schedules with NHL clubs ranges significantly. 

For example, Gavin McKenna is very likely going to be selected with one of the first two picks in the draft, so he has only eight interviews scheduled with teams this week. Meanwhile a player like Calgary Hitmen defenceman Ben MacBeath, who is projected to be selected late in the first or early in the second-round, has 26 interviews on his schedule. 

Each prospect aims to present the best version of themselves during the interview process, but it’s not easy for these teenagers to sit down in front of NHL executives. It’s especially impressive when I consider most of the players have never interviewed for jobs outside of hockey. 

The environment can be stressful for some of them, but answering questions with confidence and honesty when they are put on the spot leaves a lasting impression. Thinking quickly and assertively when under pressure can tell a team a lot about a player’s emotional make up. 

• McKenna was one of our first interviews on Thursday and he didn’t disappoint. He was honest and open about the fact he had to make adjustments at the college level playing for Penn State this year. He spoke about transitioning from the CHL to the NCAA and the fact he was expected to produce at a high level immediately. McKenna explained how he gained more confidence after the World Junior Championship at Christmas. He recognized he needed to pay more attention to detail, on and off the puck defensively, and it actually led to more offence overall. 

• McKenna plans to play in the NHL next season. He’s working hard off the ice to add more strength to his frame. Before the combine NHL Central Scouting has McKenna listed at 6-foot, 170 pounds. 

• McKenna referenced the support system within his family and spoke in glowing terms about his heritage, especially his grandfather. It’s clear McKenna is very proud to call Whitehorse, Yukon home. His rich family history includes a sacred family cabin located hours north of Whitehorse, where they go to spend time together in nature, fishing and hunting for moose. 

• Caleb Malhotra was a fantastic interview as well. The former Brantford Bulldogs centre is currently scheduled to attend Boston University next season, but he believes he could be ready to turn pro this summer and compete for an NHL roster spot in September. He pointed to the fact he is capable of being deployed in a variety of roles. Malhotra is confident he can provide the required detail defensively at the NHL level on nights when he isn’t producing offence. 

• Malhotra was asked if he took 10 face-offs at this stage of his development against his father, how many would he win? He respectfully said his father, Manny, would win seven out of the 10. 

• Kamloops Blazers forward J.P Hurlbert came dressed for success to his interview. He was the only prospect in a suit. He said he is wearing a suit every day because that’s the level of respect he believes NHL teams deserve. 

• Hurlbert is a bit of a trailblazer. He left the USNTDP last summer to head west and play for the Blazers. Hurlbert ended up contributing 42G-55A in Kamloops. He’s heading to the University of Michigan this fall. 

• We interviewed several players from Sweden on Thursday. All of the prospects impressed us but forward Alexander Command and defenceman William Hakansson stood out for me. 

• Command is a 6-foot, 186-pound, left-shot centre. He was left off Sweden’s summer team last August for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but used the snub as motivation. Command went on to produce 17G-27A in 30 J20 games playing for Orebro and added 6G-6A over 12 games suiting up for the national team the rest of the year. 

Command plays a hard style of hockey. He’s physically engaged and told us he has a hatred towards his opponents. He will do whatever it takes for his team in whatever role the coach asks of him. 

• Hakansson is a hulking left-shot defenceman who’s listed at 6-foot-4, 207 pounds and looks like he will likely approach, or surpass, 220 pounds by the time he completely fills out. Like Command, Hakansson has a no-nonsense approach to the game. He openly describes himself as a physical, shut-down defender who isn’t likely to move the needle offensively but also plays with a “hatred” towards his opponent. 

NHL teams value players who are wired like Hakansson. He leads by example, executes efficiently with the puck and has a physical presence. 

• We have more interviews to conduct on Friday, including Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Daxon Rudolph and others. I look forward to summarizing my closing thoughts at the beginning of next week ahead of my year-end draft rankings.