Samuel Koren

Player Overview Samuel Koren is an 18-year-old Slovak defenseman playing for HK Gladiators Trnava U18, a backend blueliner worth monitoring as a depth option in the later rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Current Production Over his last 10 games at the Slovakia U18 level, Koren has posted 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points with a neutral plus/minus, suggesting modest offensive contribution from the blue line without a significant two-way impact on game outcomes.

Key Attributes Based on available data, Koren's point distribution — with more assists than goals — indicates a tendency toward puck movement over shooting, which points to some functional playmaking ability from the back end. His even plus/minus in a 10-game stretch offers no evidence of either a liability or a standout presence in his own zone, suggesting a player still developing defensive structure. At 18 competing at the U18 domestic level in Slovakia, the ceiling for projection remains tied closely to how his game translates against stronger competition.

2026 Draft Outlook Koren projects as a late-round candidate at best — likely outside the top 150 picks — given the competition level of his current league and the modest production numbers that do not yet distinguish him from peers. Before June, he needs documented exposure at a higher tier of competition, such as international U18 events, to give NHL organizations a more credible sample for evaluation.