Samuel Karsay

Samuel Karsay | F | SVK | 2026 NHL Draft Prospect

---

Player Overview Samuel Karsay is an 18-year-old Slovak forward who earned a silver medal with Slovakia's U18 national team at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men's World Championship, a run that included a championship final appearance against Sweden. His participation in that tournament, hosted in Slovakia, places him among the most internationally tested forwards in this draft class.

Current Production Across his last 10 games at the Slovakia2 level, Karsay posted 3G–2A–5PTS with a +3 rating, numbers that reflect steady but unspectacular domestic production. The positive plus/minus suggests he contributes in both directions, though the point totals indicate he profiles more as a complementary offensive contributor than a primary driver at this stage.

Key Attributes Karsay's most demonstrable asset heading into draft season is his ability to perform under pressure at the international level, competing through a full U18 World Championship tournament all the way to the gold medal game. His involvement on a Slovakteam that defeated Finland and reached the final suggests he contributes within a structured, disciplined system rather than thriving solely in a freelance role. The +3 domestic rating reinforces that his compete level and defensive awareness meet professional program standards.

2026 Draft Outlook Karsay projects as a mid-to-late round selection, with teams valuing his international tournament experience on a silver medal team. Before June, he needs to demonstrate more consistent offensive engagement — five points in ten games leaves evaluators wanting clearer evidence of a defined scoring role.