Carson Carels

ANALYSIS
Carels had an eye-popping season as a 17-year-old defender in the Western Hockey League in 2025-26. His 73 points, including 20 goals, in 58 regular-season games put him fourth on the scoring list from the blue line in the entire league, and his 32 power-play points (five goals, 27 assists) were second overall. Carels even made Team Canada for the World Juniors. He's big, skilled and physical. He skates well. And his shot is huge. Carels is the kind of number two defender that NHL coaches drool over. He won't deliver NHL offense like he did in junior. Instead, Carels profiles a bit like Ryan McDonagh or Jaccob Slavin, both of whom are defensive/shutdown stalwarts that can put up about 35-40 points in a great situation, deliver 125-140 blocks and flirt with 80-100 hits, all while being an anchor on a Stanley Cup team. These are high-floor, moderate-ceiling guys -- Carels has the skill to outscore both of those guys, simply because of his ability to run the second power play.