Max Isaksson – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

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
Shoot: Left
Position: Center
NHL Draft Eligibility: Eligibility for the first year of 2026

Levels

Isaksson, a Swedish center eligible for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, stands out with his smooth swing and skillful handling. He plays smart and makes creative, patient plays that always result in success. While Isaksson may not be the highest in his draft class, he plays with grit and isn’t 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 without moving. He was named the captain of the Swedish team in the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which is a testament to his strong personality and leadership on and off the ice. Scouts compared his game to a young William Nylander in terms of style of play and projected NHL role.

In the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the captain was instrumental, serving as a player and tallying five assists in five games and scoring a goal to help his team secure the silver medal. In the league game with the Lakers this past season, his role was the same. At all levels of play (U18 Region, U18 Nationell, and U20 Nationell), Isaksson scored 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 37 games.

Max Isaksson – NHL Draft Projection

Isaksson is expected to be selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL Draft. He’s not as highly sought after as other members of the draft class, but a team with a strong development pipeline and time to work with him could see value at center. He has a two-way style of play and incredible playmaking ability, so a team that sees his potential probably won’t be disappointed in having him for a few seasons.

Some Profiles Are Under Construction

Measurements

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

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

Power

• Solid performance
• Skillful handling
• A two-way player
• Good leadership and character

Under Construction/Development To Be Done

• It needs to accumulate and improve the body
• Need to work on shooting and accuracy points

NHL Power

Isaksson has the potential to become a solid middle-six center after several seasons of development. His ability to play effectively on offense and defense will make him a solid NHL player. He has a no-nonsense attitude and plays with heart and soul. He will work hard to develop into the big leagues and could prove to be useful to a team that takes a chance on him this year.

Risk Reward Analysis

Risk – 3/5, Reward – 3/5

The Power of Fantasy Hockey

Offense- 7/10 Defense- 6/10

Awards/Achievements

• 2025 World Junior A Challenge Bronze Medal
• 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Silver Medal

Discussions/Links

Statistics by Max Isaksson

Videos