Scott Wheeler
@scottcwheeler.bsky.social
National reporter (NHL Draft/prospects) at The Athletic. Author of On The Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL Draft.
Reposted by Scott Wheeler
My midseason #2026NHLDraft ranking is out!
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
2026 NHL Draft ranking: Ivar Stenberg takes top spot ahead of Gavin McKenna on Wheeler’s midseason top 64
Stenberg has usurped McKenna at No. 1 on Scott Wheeler's latest board of 2026 NHL Draft prospects.
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:50 PM
My midseason #2026NHLDraft ranking is out!
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
My midseason #2026NHLDraft ranking is out!
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
2026 NHL Draft ranking: Ivar Stenberg takes top spot ahead of Gavin McKenna on Wheeler’s midseason top 64
Stenberg has usurped McKenna at No. 1 on Scott Wheeler's latest board of 2026 NHL Draft prospects.
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:50 PM
My midseason #2026NHLDraft ranking is out!
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
- Top 64 (plus 32 honorable mentions)
- Full scouting reports
- Player tiers and more
🆕 at @theathletic.com:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Reposted by Scott Wheeler
🆕 Midseason Calder Trophy ranking.
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Calder Trophy race: Ranking NHL’s top rookies halfway through 2025-26 season
Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer remains the clear favorite, but a consensus top four has also now developed.
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
🆕 Midseason Calder Trophy ranking.
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
🆕 Midseason Calder Trophy ranking.
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Calder Trophy race: Ranking NHL’s top rookies halfway through 2025-26 season
Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer remains the clear favorite, but a consensus top four has also now developed.
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
🆕 Midseason Calder Trophy ranking.
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Our top five, plus honorable mentions 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Some quick thoughts on NHL Central Scouting’s midseason #2026NHLDraft rankings:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
NHL releases midseason Central Scouting ranking: McKenna, Stenberg top lists
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Some quick thoughts on NHL Central Scouting’s midseason #2026NHLDraft rankings:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...
Sitting at the car dealership with time to kill.
Been a while since I’ve done an AMA. Fire away.
Been a while since I’ve done an AMA. Fire away.
January 9, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Sitting at the car dealership with time to kill.
Been a while since I’ve done an AMA. Fire away.
Been a while since I’ve done an AMA. Fire away.
We published my entire World Juniors notebook at @theathletic.com.
Here are my thoughts on more than 100 drafted and draft eligible prospects. Enjoy and thanks for reading again this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Here are my thoughts on more than 100 drafted and draft eligible prospects. Enjoy and thanks for reading again this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Scouting Stenberg, McKenna and more than 100 NHL prospects at World Juniors
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:13 PM
We published my entire World Juniors notebook at @theathletic.com.
Here are my thoughts on more than 100 drafted and draft eligible prospects. Enjoy and thanks for reading again this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Here are my thoughts on more than 100 drafted and draft eligible prospects. Enjoy and thanks for reading again this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Viggo Bjorck just keeps proving he’s one of the #2026NHLDraft’s top prospects.
My feature, with insight from Djurgarden, Team Sweden and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
My feature, with insight from Djurgarden, Team Sweden and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Record-setting Viggo Bjorck keeps proving he’s one of 2026 NHL Draft’s top prospects
As an underager, Viggo Bjorck is starring for Sweden at the 2026 World Juniors.
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Viggo Bjorck just keeps proving he’s one of the #2026NHLDraft’s top prospects.
My feature, with insight from Djurgarden, Team Sweden and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
My feature, with insight from Djurgarden, Team Sweden and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Reposted by Scott Wheeler
“Pretty special player.”
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
January 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
“Pretty special player.”
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
“Pretty special player.”
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
January 3, 2026 at 3:05 PM
“Pretty special player.”
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
My feature on, Adam Novotny, Czechia’s top #2026NHLDraft prospect, with insight from Peterborough and Minneapolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
Big #WorldJuniors takeaways on the busiest day of the tournament:
- Canada makes a statement
- USA bounced
- Swiss honor fire victims
- Frondell, Sikora and other standouts
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
- Canada makes a statement
- USA bounced
- Swiss honor fire victims
- Frondell, Sikora and other standouts
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
World Juniors quarterfinals: USA bounced, Canada wins big, Swiss honor fire victims
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:30 AM
Big #WorldJuniors takeaways on the busiest day of the tournament:
- Canada makes a statement
- USA bounced
- Swiss honor fire victims
- Frondell, Sikora and other standouts
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
- Canada makes a statement
- USA bounced
- Swiss honor fire victims
- Frondell, Sikora and other standouts
www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...
“He’s everything you want from a young hockey player.”
My feature on Braeden Cootes, with insight and stories from Seattle, Sherwood Park, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
My feature on Braeden Cootes, with insight and stories from Seattle, Sherwood Park, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Why Team Canada’s Braeden Cootes could be a ‘coach’s security blanket’ for Canucks
Cootes has had a whirlwind few months that included gold at U18s, the draft and his NHL debut.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:25 PM
“He’s everything you want from a young hockey player.”
My feature on Braeden Cootes, with insight and stories from Seattle, Sherwood Park, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
My feature on Braeden Cootes, with insight and stories from Seattle, Sherwood Park, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
How Will Horcoff became college hockey’s top scorer and a “unicorn” for the Penguins.
My feature, with insight from the World Juniors, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and even his minor hockey days: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
My feature, with insight from the World Juniors, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and even his minor hockey days: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
How USA’s Will Horcoff became NCAA’s top scorer and a ‘unicorn’ for Penguins
Horcoff, picked No. 24 by Pittsburgh in the 2025 NHL Draft, leads college hockey with 19 goals in 20 games.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:57 AM
How Will Horcoff became college hockey’s top scorer and a “unicorn” for the Penguins.
My feature, with insight from the World Juniors, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and even his minor hockey days: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
My feature, with insight from the World Juniors, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and even his minor hockey days: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Inside Carter Bear’s long road to the World Juniors.
With insight from Everett and Team Canada, my feature on the work ethic that has defined his game and story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
With insight from Everett and Team Canada, my feature on the work ethic that has defined his game and story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Inside Carter Bear’s long road to Canada’s World Junior team — and the work ethic that defines him
Bear, Detroit's 2025 first-round pick, drew into Canada's lineup at the World Juniors in Monday's win over Denmark.
www.nytimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Inside Carter Bear’s long road to the World Juniors.
With insight from Everett and Team Canada, my feature on the work ethic that has defined his game and story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
With insight from Everett and Team Canada, my feature on the work ethic that has defined his game and story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Stützle. Zetterberg. Naslund. Backstrom.
Those are the names being thrown around Ivar Stenberg in Gothenburg these days.
My feature on the first overall challenger and his historic season, with insight from Frölunda, Team Sweden, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Those are the names being thrown around Ivar Stenberg in Gothenburg these days.
My feature on the first overall challenger and his historic season, with insight from Frölunda, Team Sweden, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
December 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Stützle. Zetterberg. Naslund. Backstrom.
Those are the names being thrown around Ivar Stenberg in Gothenburg these days.
My feature on the first overall challenger and his historic season, with insight from Frölunda, Team Sweden, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Those are the names being thrown around Ivar Stenberg in Gothenburg these days.
My feature on the first overall challenger and his historic season, with insight from Frölunda, Team Sweden, and more:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Behind the mask of Carter George.
My feature on Team Canada’s #WorldJuniors starter, with insight into his fascinating mind from his goalie coach, his physio, and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
My feature on Team Canada’s #WorldJuniors starter, with insight into his fascinating mind from his goalie coach, his physio, and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Behind the mask of Carter George, Team Canada’s World Junior backbone
George's curiosity and intellect, as much as his talent, have led him back to the World Juniors as Canada's starter.
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Behind the mask of Carter George.
My feature on Team Canada’s #WorldJuniors starter, with insight into his fascinating mind from his goalie coach, his physio, and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
My feature on Team Canada’s #WorldJuniors starter, with insight into his fascinating mind from his goalie coach, his physio, and more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
I spent several months talking to dozens of coaches and GMs from across the CHL and NCAA.
Inside the tense Cold War brewing between the two sides: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Inside the tense Cold War brewing between the two sides: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Inside the tense relationship between NCAA programs and CHL teams
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I spent several months talking to dozens of coaches and GMs from across the CHL and NCAA.
Inside the tense Cold War brewing between the two sides: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Inside the tense Cold War brewing between the two sides: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
🆕 What I saw and heard at Canada’s World Junior camp:
On Gavin McKenna, Ethan Mackenzie, the bubble guys, plus other notes and the latest on potential NHLers 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
On Gavin McKenna, Ethan Mackenzie, the bubble guys, plus other notes and the latest on potential NHLers 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
What I saw and heard at Canada's World Junior camp: McKenna, the bubble, the NHLers, more
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:32 PM
🆕 What I saw and heard at Canada’s World Junior camp:
On Gavin McKenna, Ethan Mackenzie, the bubble guys, plus other notes and the latest on potential NHLers 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
On Gavin McKenna, Ethan Mackenzie, the bubble guys, plus other notes and the latest on potential NHLers 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
“That’s who you want when it comes to April and May in the NHL.”
How farm boy Carson Carels became the 2026 NHL Draft’s hottest prospect.
My feature, with insight and background from a ton of people: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
How farm boy Carson Carels became the 2026 NHL Draft’s hottest prospect.
My feature, with insight and background from a ton of people: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
December 16, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“That’s who you want when it comes to April and May in the NHL.”
How farm boy Carson Carels became the 2026 NHL Draft’s hottest prospect.
My feature, with insight and background from a ton of people: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
How farm boy Carson Carels became the 2026 NHL Draft’s hottest prospect.
My feature, with insight and background from a ton of people: www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
I spent three days inside the Saginaw Spirit, where being different is the name of the game.
From video sessions to pregame speeches, intermission chats and postgame celebrations, my feature:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
From video sessions to pregame speeches, intermission chats and postgame celebrations, my feature:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Three days with the Saginaw Spirit, where being different is the name of the game
The Athletic went behind the scenes with the Spirit to get an inside look at their approach under Dave Drinkill and Chris Lazary.
www.nytimes.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I spent three days inside the Saginaw Spirit, where being different is the name of the game.
From video sessions to pregame speeches, intermission chats and postgame celebrations, my feature:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
From video sessions to pregame speeches, intermission chats and postgame celebrations, my feature:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Team Canada’s lines for Day 2 of World Junior camp:
McKenna - Beaudoin - Martone
Iginla - Cootes - Hage
Bear - Luchanko - Martin
Greentree - Desnoyers - O’Reilly
Vanacker - O’Brien - Reschny
Reid - Parekh
Aitcheson - Brunicke
Carels - Danford
Smith - Verhoeff
Mackenzie
McKenna - Beaudoin - Martone
Iginla - Cootes - Hage
Bear - Luchanko - Martin
Greentree - Desnoyers - O’Reilly
Vanacker - O’Brien - Reschny
Reid - Parekh
Aitcheson - Brunicke
Carels - Danford
Smith - Verhoeff
Mackenzie
December 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Team Canada’s lines for Day 2 of World Junior camp:
McKenna - Beaudoin - Martone
Iginla - Cootes - Hage
Bear - Luchanko - Martin
Greentree - Desnoyers - O’Reilly
Vanacker - O’Brien - Reschny
Reid - Parekh
Aitcheson - Brunicke
Carels - Danford
Smith - Verhoeff
Mackenzie
McKenna - Beaudoin - Martone
Iginla - Cootes - Hage
Bear - Luchanko - Martin
Greentree - Desnoyers - O’Reilly
Vanacker - O’Brien - Reschny
Reid - Parekh
Aitcheson - Brunicke
Carels - Danford
Smith - Verhoeff
Mackenzie
🆕 Breaking down Team Canada's training camp roster for the World Juniors.
Notes and thoughts on the roster, the omissions, the NHLers, 2026's Carson Carels, a depth chart, and more 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Notes and thoughts on the roster, the omissions, the NHLers, 2026's Carson Carels, a depth chart, and more 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Canada’s 2026 World Junior training camp roster: Biggest decisions, notable omissions
Hockey Canada announced its 27-player training camp roster for the 2026 World Juniors on Monday.
www.nytimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM
🆕 Breaking down Team Canada's training camp roster for the World Juniors.
Notes and thoughts on the roster, the omissions, the NHLers, 2026's Carson Carels, a depth chart, and more 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Notes and thoughts on the roster, the omissions, the NHLers, 2026's Carson Carels, a depth chart, and more 🔗⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Reposted by Scott Wheeler
Canadian employees at The Athletic will have our second bargaining session with the company today, as we work collectively to negotiate a fair contract.
The bargaining committee has our full support! ✊
The bargaining committee has our full support! ✊
December 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Canadian employees at The Athletic will have our second bargaining session with the company today, as we work collectively to negotiate a fair contract.
The bargaining committee has our full support! ✊
The bargaining committee has our full support! ✊
🆕 CHL USA Prospects Challenge standouts and disappointments.
My takeaways from Calgary and Lethbridge ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
My takeaways from Calgary and Lethbridge ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
2026 NHL Draft: CHL USA Prospects Challenge standouts and disappointments
Many of the top prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft competed this week in the second annual CHL USA Prospects Challenge.
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:32 PM
🆕 CHL USA Prospects Challenge standouts and disappointments.
My takeaways from Calgary and Lethbridge ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
My takeaways from Calgary and Lethbridge ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Caleb Malhotra is the 2026 NHL Draft’s biggest riser and a “future NHL captain.”
My feature on his breakout, with reporting in Calgary and Brantford, and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
My feature on his breakout, with reporting in Calgary and Brantford, and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
How Caleb Malhotra became one of the 2026 NHL Draft’s biggest risers
After making the move to the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs for his draft season, Malhotra has taken off.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Caleb Malhotra is the 2026 NHL Draft’s biggest riser and a “future NHL captain.”
My feature on his breakout, with reporting in Calgary and Brantford, and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
My feature on his breakout, with reporting in Calgary and Brantford, and insight from those around him:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...