Defenseman
7’0/273
Left
North Bay Battalion/OHL
Related: Keaton Verhoeff
The tallest confirmed prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft is Alexander Karmanov, a towering 7’0″ (213 cm), 273‑lb defenseman—easily the most extreme outlier in the class and one of the tallest hockey prospects ever recorded. This would make him the tallest hockey player in the world and is widely reported as possibly; his massive frame with surprising mobility for his size. – Still only 16 at the time of reporting—meaning he may grow even more. Karmanov has made a commitment to play NCAA hockey at Penn State University starting in 2027-28.
Size/Strength Excellent
Skating Average
Shot/Scoring Good
Puckhandling Average
Physical Play Average
Offensive Play Average
Defensive Great
Hockey Sense Average
Competitiveness Good
Strength
1. Standing at a Towering 7’0″, he is the tallest prospect in NHL history; his height alone makes him worthy of being drafted, even if other parts of his game are raw.
2. Posseses raw strength; can pin and seal with minimal effort. When stationary and set, his reach erases lanes and entries.
3. Shot-blocking footprint is enormous. PK projection is strong if mobility continues to improve.
Areas of Improvement
1. Processing is behind the physical tools but trending positively.
2. Heavy shot due to mass and leverage, but release is long, mechanics need tightening.
3. Skating is not a fatal flaw — but it must continue trending upward for NHL viability
Scouting Report
Alexander Karmanov is the most polarizing prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft because of his massive size and potential but some scouts are skeptical that he will reach his ceiling as a top pair shutdown defenseman. Karmanov is a once in a generation physical outlier whose value hinges on whether his mobility and processing can scale to pro pace. Standing at 7’0″, 273–278 lbs — tallest hockey prospect ever documented. His skating is good for his size, strides are compact, better-than-expected edge control for his frame. Defensively he could be an human eraser with his frame and reach, when his feet are set, but he is still learning to angle and use leverage rather than simply relying on size. He still needs to improve puck retrievals and his first pass is inconsistent. Karmanov has a heavy shot due to mass and leverage; release is long, mechanics need tightening. Expect sheltered OHL minutes early, then PK and matchup usage as he stabilizes; Penn State commitment gives him a long runway to develop without pressure. Karmanov has the ceiling of an elite PK specialist and shutdown defender, and the most likely potential of a 6th/7th defenseman whose a PK contributor. It’s tough to predict where Alexander Karmanov will be drafted, or which team will take a chance on him but his ceiling and potential is too great.
Skill: Top‑6 defensive specialist, PK anchor
NHL Comparable: Zdeno Chara
NHL Potential: Top 6 Defenseman
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | PTS |
| 2025-26 | Brantford Titans | GOJHL | 15 | 3 | 7 |
| North Bay Battalion | OHL | 18 | 0 | 1 |
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