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2026 NHL Draft Spotlight: Jake O'Brien's Elite Playmaking Ability Heating Up Down The Stretch

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The Hockey News

2026 NHL Draft Spotlight: Jake O'Brien's Elite Playmaking Ability Heating Up Down The Stretch

jared brown

Mon, Feb 17, 2026, 6:25 p.m. PST·2 min read

As the excitement builds for the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft, all eyes are on Jake O'Brien, whose exceptional playmaking ability has been turning heads as of late.

The 2023-24 Rookie of the Year continues to play his way into first-round consideration and is looking more and more like a top-20 pick. With every goal he sets up and creative pass he makes, he's proving that he's one of the smartest and most intelligent draft-eligible playmakers.

With the 2024-25 season approaching its climax, his skill plays are making a strong case for him to be one of the top picks in the upcoming 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

Related: Michael Misa Joining Exclusive List And Etching His Name In The OHL's History Books

Jake O'Brien (44)

OHL Images

The Brantford Bulldogs took down the Soo Greyhounds 8-6 in a Family Day affair and clinched a spot in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.

O'Brien recorded two assists on the powerplay and scored the game-clinching empty-netter to secure Brantford's victory.

With him getting on the scoresheet again, he extends his point streak to 12 games, where he has registered 18 assists and 25 points.

He has matched his career-high in assists (51) and has been lethal on the powerplay, operating as one of the league's best passers on the man advantage.

O'Brien leads the OHL in powerplay assists with 33. Additionally, he has nine powerplay goals, bringing his points total on the man advantage to 42, which also leads the league.

"For his age, he (O'Brien) thinks the game at another level. The way he slows the game down whether it's on the powerplay or at five-on-five, he can make plays at a pro level already," said Brantford teammate Nick Lardis when we asked him about his thoughts regarding O'Brien's game.

Related: A Deep Dive Into The Dynamic Scoring Talent Of Chicago Blackhawks’ Rising Prospect Nick Lardis

The Bulldogs centerman should be regarded as one of the best passers and playmakers in the upcoming NHL draft. Look at this sweet behind-the-back quick backhand pass he gives to Lardis for his 50th of the season.

And then here's another terrific setup to complete the tic-tac-toe play.

With the amazing stretch of hockey Jake O'Brien has been playing, he has vaulted his way up into the league's top-10 in scoring (80 points in 55 games), and he is third behind Michael Misa and Porter Martone for points amongst draft-eligible OHL skaters.

Related: Dominant First OHL Season Suggests Sky Is The Limit For Washington Capitals' Prospect

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