Markus Belak

Player Overview Markus Belak is an 18-year-old Slovak defenseman playing for HK Spisska Nova Ves U20 in the Slovakia U20 league, a prospect whose offensive upside at the back end warrants monitoring ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Current Production Over his last 10 games, Belak has recorded three assists and no goals for three points, operating strictly as a distributor rather than a shooting threat from the blue line. The minus-three rating during that same stretch signals he is operating on a team that struggles defensively, though it also raises questions about his own zone reliability.

Key Attributes Belak's production pattern — all assists, no goals — suggests his primary value is as a puck-mover and outlet option rather than a power-play quarterback who generates offense through his shot. His ability to accumulate even modest points in a U20 context indicates some baseline competency in transition and reads off the rush. However, the negative plus/minus across a 10-game sample points to defensive-zone breakdowns that will require evaluation against stronger competition.

2026 Draft Outlook Based on available data, Belak projects as a late-round or undrafted candidate unless further scouting reveals physical or skating attributes not reflected in his current statistical profile. Before June, he must demonstrate greater defensive structure and presence, as his point production alone is insufficient to separate him from a deep 2026 defensive class.