The 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo was a showcase for Michigan's hockey talent, particularly highlighting what fans of Michigan State have to look forward to. With the draft kicking off on Friday, June 26, it was a banner day for the Spartans, as five of their commits were selected in the first round, though only four have officially signed on the dotted line.
Leading the charge for the Spartans was Chase Reid, a standout defenseman from Chesterfield, Michigan. Reid, who sharpened his skills with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds, was snapped up by the Seattle Kraken at No. 7 overall.
Many had pegged Reid as a top-five talent, with some experts even eyeing him for the top three as the premier defensive prospect. However, with three defenders going right before him, Reid found himself in Seattle, setting high expectations for his upcoming season with Michigan State.
Nikita Klepov, hailing originally from Florida, was next in line for the Spartans, going at No. 15 to the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks made a strategic move, acquiring this pick from the Detroit Red Wings by trading forward Mason McTavish to the St.
Louis Blues for two first-round picks in 2026. Klepov's selection marks a significant step for the Ducks as they look to bolster their forward line.
Ethan Belchetz was another Spartan commit making waves, selected at No. 17 by the Utah Mammoth. The Mammoth, eager to enhance their roster, traded with the Los Angeles Kings to secure their spot and draft Belchetz, a promising forward who will join Michigan State next season.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings made a splash by acquiring the No. 23 pick from the Utah Mammoth, trading away goalie Sebastian Cossa. With this pick, the Wings selected J.P.
Hurlbert, a forward committed to the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 season. Hurlbert's selection was a bright spot for Wolverine fans amidst the Spartan-heavy draft.
Rounding out the first round for Michigan State was Jack Hextall, chosen by the Calgary Flames at No. 30. Hextall, who showcased his scoring prowess with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL, is set to bring his offensive skills to the Spartans.
The Nashville Predators wrapped up the first round with the selection of Tommy Bleyl at No. 31. Although Bleyl is committed to Michigan State for the 2027-28 season, he remains unsigned, adding an interesting wrinkle to the Spartans' future plans.
Overall, Michigan State dominated the first round with five commits, overshadowing their in-state rivals, the Wolverines, who had just one commit selected. It's clear that Michigan State is building a formidable hockey program, and fans have plenty to be excited about as these young talents prepare to make their mark on the ice.
In Other News...
Yzerman Just Raised The Stakes Around Detroits Core Identity
Steve Yzerman spent part of his latest media availability outlining a familiar offseason balancing act, the kind that comes with trying to push a team forward without losing sight of what still makes it tick. For Detroit, that meant talking about Patrick Kane as a pending unrestricted free agent and signaling a desire to keep him around, a nod to the offense and veteran presence he brought while the Red Wings continue sorting out their next step.
The bigger layer is the one hanging over the rosters identity. Yzerman also addressed Dylan Larkins situation, and while the captains status has become part of the conversation, nothing was framed as final or guaranteed. For a team trying to define itself around its core, that leaves Detroit in a delicate spot, weighing leadership, scoring, and continuity all at once while the rest of the market keeps moving around it. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings May Be Near A Roster Decision Fans Saw Coming
With the NHL buyout window set to open June 30, Detroit is already weighing whether it makes sense to shake up the roster for the sake of flexibility. The Red Wings are looking at one of their recent contract decisions with a colder eye now, because a move like this would not be about escaping a cap crisis so much as creating a little more room to maneuver as they sort out the next wave of players.
The appeal is straightforward: a buyout would clear a spot for younger talent and give the front office more options as it balances the present against what comes next. It would also push the financial pain further down the road, which is why this is the kind of decision teams only make when they believe the short-term roster gain is worth the longer cap trail. [Read more 🡒]
Steve Yzerman Just Turned Up The Pressure In Dylan Larkin Saga
Steve Yzermans latest comments only added more weight to a situation that already had the attention of every Red Wings fan. The Detroit general manager said Dylan Larkin still has five years left on his contract, a reminder that this is not a simple matter of timing or convenience. It is the kind of awkward star-player crossroads that can force a front office to balance loyalty, leverage and the long view all at once.
Yzerman also made clear he is not promising to hand over control of the outcome, which is where the tension now sits. Larkins camp, through agent Pat Brisson, has stayed engaged in the discussion and is working toward a resolution, but there is no neat finish line yet. For a team that has built so much of its identity around Larkin, the next move matters far beyond one contract situation. [Read more 🡒]