BEHM, LAFRENIERE HEADLINE NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKINGS
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
The NHL’s final Central Scouting Rankings came out Tuesday morning, and four Kamloops Blazers made the list.
Nathan Behm ranked No. 44, dropping from No. 31 in the previous Mid-Term rankings that came out in January. Behm dealt with injuries that held him out of the lineup for a handful of games, which would be the reason why he has slipped. Rest assured, the Calgary native still has a chance to go in the latter half of the first round of the NHL Draft. Behm notched 31 goals and 66 points in 59 games, he ranked second in points among Blazers’ skaters.
A Pacific Division NHL Scout told Blazer Hockey, “ You want a pure shooter, you draft Behm.”
Tommy Lafrenière was listed at No. 57 after being ranked at No. 86 in the mid-term rankings. Lafrenière notched 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points in 68 games this past season with the Blazers, finishing second among WHL rookies. He trailed only 2027 projected first overall pick Landon Dupont.
A Central Division NHL scout told Blazer Hockey, “Think of a smaller Nick Suzuki.”
The Blazers also have two NCAA-listed players ranked, with Sean Barnhill at No. 64 and Ashton Schultz at No. 83.
Barnhill is a massive 6-foot-5 defensive defenseman who plays for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL. Barnhill is committed to Northeastern University for the 2026-27 campaign. Barnhill notched 11 points in 54 games during the 2024-25 campaign.
Schultz, a 5-foot-11 center, racked up 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 57 games with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, ranking second among Steel skaters in points.