THW 2026 NHL Draft Guide

Max Isaksson – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Hayley Paljug | Last updated May 14, 2026 4:20 PM ET

Max Isaksson

2025-26 Team: Växjö Lakers (U18/U20/SHL)
Date of Birth: Jan. 28, 2008
Place of Birth: Sävsjö, SWE
Ht: 6-foot-0 Wt: 183 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Center
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

Peter Baracchini’s Top-96 March Rankings: 84th
NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters): 35th

Isaksson, a Swedish center eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, stands out with his smooth skating and skillful stickhandling. He plays with intelligence and makes creative, patient plays that consistently yield success. While Isaksson may not be the most elite among his draft class, he plays with grit and is not afraid to do whatever it takes to get the puck in the net.

He is an exemplary two-way player and has plenty of room to grow and develop still. He was named captain of the Swedish team at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, a testament to his strong character and leadership both on and off the ice. Scouts compare his game to a young William Nylander regarding playing style and projected NHL role.

At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the captain was a huge asset, serving as a playmaker and tallying five assists in five games and scoring a goal to help his team earn a silver medal. In league play with the Lakers this past season, his role was similar. Across all levels of play (U18 Region, U18 Nationell, and U20 Nationell), Isaksson totaled 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 37 games.

Max Isaksson – NHL Draft Projection

Isaksson is projected to be selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. He is not as highly sought after as some of his fellow draft class members, but a team with a strong development pipeline and time to work with him could see value in the center. He has an enviable two-way play style and stellar playmaking abilities, so a team that sees potential in him will likely not be disappointed to have him around in a few seasons.

Other Draft Profiles

Quotables

“Smooth skater with good hands. Intelligent player who makes the right play consistently. Needs to add strength for the next level. Max is a prospect to watch for teams with strong development pipelines and patience for a longer NHL timeline.” – HockeyMockDraft

“While Isaksson isn’t flashy, and perhaps not elite in any area, he works hard, plays with some grit, provides his team with exemplary two-way play, and isn’t afraid of playing in traffic, or going to the dirty areas of the ice to get the job done.” – Chris Ralph Shankara, Upside Hockey

Strengths

Strong playmaking
Skilled stickhandling
Two-way player
Good leadership and character

Under Construction/Improvements to Make

Needs to bulk up and develop physicality
Needs to work on shooting and scoring accuracy

NHL Potential

Isaksson has the potential to be a strong middle-six center after a couple of seasons of further development. His ability to play successfully on offense and defense will make him a solid NHL player. He has a never-quit attitude and plays with grit and heart. He will work hard to thrive in the big leagues and could shape up to be an asset to the team that takes a chance on him in this year’s draft.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk – 3/5, Reward – 3/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense- 7/10 Defense- 6/10