Could trade to London thrust Braidy Wassilyn into first-round 2026 NHL Draft contention?

Oct 31, 2025, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 30, 2025, 14:29 EDT

Could trade to London thrust Braidy Wassilyn into first-round 2026 NHL Draft contention?

Credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

It was no secret that Braidy Wassilyn wanted a change of scenery.

Drafted fourth overall by the Niagara IceDogs in 2024, Wassilyn had been linked to the rumor mill as early as midway through his rookie season. He had a decent 39-point freshman campaign – but given his utter dominance with the Markham Majors the year prior, it felt underwhelming to some.

After starting the season in Niagara with five points in six games, Wassilyn quickly became linked to the London Knights. IceDogs GM Frank Evola denied the rumor, saying the idea was “news to him.” Less than 24 hours later, Wassilyn was shipped off to the Canadian Life Place, with Anaheim Ducks prospect Noah Reed heading the other way.

It’s no secret that London is the hotbed of hockey talent. The team, led by the renowned Hunter Brothers, has won the past two OHL titles and has made the final three straight times. Last year’s Memorial Cup-winning roster boasted 15 NHL-drafted prospects, including first-rounders Easton Cowan, Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk, and Sam O’Reilly.

Going to a perceived top team doesn’t always pan out. They’re often loaded with high-end talent, meaning your opportunities can be limited. But it feels like Wassilyn is coming in at the right time to seize the opportunity while the season is still fresh.

So if there’s anywhere for a young prospect to get the most out of themselves during a draft campaign, it’s London. Wassilyn is in the right place.

Wassilyn’s skill has been evident from a young age. The Puslinch, Ont., native tore up the minor hockey ranks with Markham, which included a massive 31-goal U-16 season. He had to work a bit harder to get noticed, though, with Markham not qualifying for the season-ending OHL Cup – the biggest showcase of them all.

Still, scouts knew what he was capable of. Wassilyn is a gifted offensive threat, with his puck control being among the best in his age group. He might not be huge, but he’s tenacious, showing a willingness to take on just about anyone. Wassilyn loves to drive to the net, and while his all-around game can be a bit iffy, he’s best when the pressure is on and you need to generate something, anything, late in a game. Wassilyn entered the season looking physically stronger, too. He comes from a farming family, and Wassilyn says he does a lot of hard labor, such as moving heavy rocks and handling horses.

“I try to play a hard-nosed game along with the skill that I have,” Wassilyn said during Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup training camp earlier this summer. “I try to score goals, but I’m definitely a pass-first player. Just trying to make the right play and make the guys around me better is kind of what I do.”

Wassilyn was a surprise omission from Canada’s Hlinka roster, a team that fell short of gold for the first time since sitting out the 2021 tournament. It was something that only drove Wassilyn to get better, and a solid start to the season helped him get noticed. Wassilyn was ranked 33rd by Daily Faceoff in our preseason rankings, while NHL Central Scouting gave him a “B” rating in their initial watch list – projecting him to go in the second or third round.

For the time, it definitely felt like the right placement. We simply haven’t seen him consistently dominate shifts. But there are enough people who believe Wassilyn can still make it as a first-rounder. He’ll be surrounded by the most skill he has ever had in his junior career while playing on a team with title aspirations.

The Knights aren’t as dangerous as they were a year ago. So Wassilyn’s arrival should give them something they’ve been missing. He’ll likely slot right into the top six, potentially beside Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Sam O’Reilly. Scouts love how the Knights run their show. They’ve managed to turn mid-pack prospects into legitimate stars time and time again.

As for next season, Wassilyn is committed to Boston University in the NCAA. There aren’t many who believe that’s where he’s headed, though. If everything goes well in London, most expect Wassilyn to stay there for at least another year. Things can change quickly in the ever-evolving landscape of junior/college hockey. But don’t be surprised if Wassilyn is gunning for the scoring title in southwestern Ontario instead.

Wassilyn has the skill set to be a first-rounder. Now, scouts want to see the work ethic to match that. London isn’t a team you can just float around with. They’ll whip you into shape real quick. Wassilyn will be thrown into the deep end this weekend – he played last night against Peterborough, and has outings against Ottawa and Kingston as part of a road trip over the next three days. It might take him some time to get used to his linemates, but Wassilyn has all the tools at his disposal to be a difference-maker immediately.

Many have known Braidy Wassilyn’s name for close to five years now. But it’s up to him to make sure they keep talking about him for many, many years to come.

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Could trade to London thrust Braidy Wassilyn into first-round 2026 NHL Draft contention?

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