Jakub Beres

Player Overview Jakub Beres is an 18-year-old Slovak defenseman currently playing for Barani Banská Bystrica U20 2 in Slovakia's second-tier U20 league, making him a developmental prospect whose trajectory warrants monitoring ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Current Production Over his last 10 games, Beres has posted 1 goal, 1 assist, and a +4 rating, modest offensive numbers that suggest his value at this stage is rooted more in defensive reliability than point generation. The +4 differential is the most actionable figure here, indicating he is contributing positively to team structure even while playing in a secondary competition level.

Key Attributes The +4 plus/minus across 10 games in a U20 second-division context points to a player who prioritizes sound defensive positioning and gap control over offensive risk-taking. His willingness to stay within structure suggests above-average defensive awareness for his age group, a quality that NHL organizations value in developmental blue-liners. The fact that he does contribute occasionally offensively — rather than posting a zero point line — indicates he is not purely a stay-at-home profile, though that offensive dimension is limited.

2026 Draft Outlook Given the competition level and modest offensive production, Beres projects as a late-round target or undrafted free agent candidate in June 2026 unless stronger performances at a higher tier of play emerge. The single most critical step before the draft is earning meaningful ice time in Slovakia's primary U20 circuit to validate his defensive attributes against elevated competition.