Maxim Simko

Maxim Simko – C | HK Nitra | SVK | Age: 18 ### 2026 NHL Draft Scouting Report

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Player Overview Maxim Simko is an 18-year-old center from Slovakia who earned meaningful minutes with HK Nitra at the senior domestic level while also representing his country at the U18 World Championship, where Slovakia reached the gold medal final before falling to Sweden in Trenčín. His ability to contribute at both levels simultaneously makes him a legitimate name to track heading into the 2026 draft cycle.

Current Production Over his last 10 games with HK Nitra, Simko posted 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points at a plus-zero, indicating consistent offensive involvement against senior Slovak competition without a meaningful impact on team possession outcomes. The assist-heavy split suggests his value trends toward playmaking rather than pure finishing.

Key Attributes Slovakia's run to the U18 World Championship final — highlighted by strong power play execution and a historic preliminary round performance — provides important context for evaluating Simko's comfort operating within structured offensive systems at the international level. His team's ability to navigate a competitive bracket, including a hard-fought matchup against Finland, suggests he has been tested in high-pressure situations against elite peer competition. His deployment on a team that leaned on special teams play points to a level of trust from coaching staff in those critical situations.

2026 Draft Outlook Simko projects as a mid-to-late round candidate at present, and stabilizing his plus/minus — converting offensive zone presence into consistent defensive zone accountability — is the clearest area requiring development before June evaluations conclude.