Daniels Serkins (C, L, 5’9″, 175, SC Bern Future U20, 07/24/2007)
Daniels Serkins is a high-compete, offensively driven winger who captained Latvia at the 2025 U18 World Championships and played in the 2025 World Junior Championships. While undersized by NHL standards, Serkins plays a spirited and skilled game, showing leadership, scoring instincts, and responsible usage at the international level. His 22 points in 35 games with SC Bern U20-Elit and team-leading 5 points in 5 games at the U18s reflect his ability to generate offense against age-matched peers. However, his low efficiency in puck battles (48%), inconsistent puck management (5.1 giveaways per game), and lack of production at the WJC level expose questions about his pro projection.
Why Serkins Should Be Drafted
- Leader with Offensive Drive
Serkins captained Latvia at the U18 World Championships. He consistently plays big minutes (18:19 TOI average) in all situations, including PP (1:19) and PK (1:57), signaling strong trust from coaches. He was Latvia’s most productive player at the U18s, leading the team with 5 points in 5 games despite limited team offense. - Instinctive Attacker and Shot Generator
Serkins averaged 2.2 shots per game and generated 1.3 Grade ‘A’ scoring chances per game in international play. He attacks with pace, supports the puck well, and has the hands to make plays through traffic or beat defenders 1-on-1. His 0.6 pre-shot passes per game reflect strong vision and play initiation in the offensive zone. - High Motor and Defensive Engagement
While not physically imposing, Serkins plays with intensity. He drew 0.4 penalties per game while spending over 9 minutes per game in the defensive zone and logging significant PK time. He blocked shots (2.1 per game) and had 1.9 puck retrievals per game, showing he’s not a one-dimensional winger. His compete without the puck is consistent and mature.
Why Serkins Should Not Be Drafted
- Sub-NHL Size Without a Defining Elite Trait
At 5’9″, 175 lbs, Serkins falls below the average size for all major development levels. Unlike other undersized NHL prospects, he doesn’t yet possess the elite skating, dynamic puck skills, or power-play production to overcome that size differential. His straight-line speed and small-area explosiveness are average, which limits separation. - Puck Management Issues Against Stronger Opponents
Serkins averaged over 5 giveaways per game across the U18 and WJC tournaments and won just 48% of his puck battles. Against faster or more physical competition (notably in the WJC), he struggled to handle contact and made hurried plays under pressure. His -9 rating at the U18s, despite strong individual stats, highlights his struggles in defensive recoveries or coverage against top-tier opponents. - Limited Impact at the WJC Level
In five games at the World Juniors, Serkins failed to register a point and finished with a -2. While Latvia is often overmatched at this event, it underscores a gap between his production versus age-matched players and older, stronger international peers. His scoring tools didn’t translate, and he had minimal power play impact.
Projection & Recommendation
Projection:
Middle-six European forward with leadership qualities and offensive upside. Projectable as a complementary scorer in European pro leagues or the NCAA, but must round out skating, strength, and puck decisions to be an NHL-contributing forward. If drafted, it will be based on his character, pace, and flashes of offensive creativity.
Draft Grade:
7th round/ Priority Free Agent Watchlist
Serkins is worth a late-round flyer based on intangibles, production versus peers, and offensive instincts. However, physical maturity and decision-making under pressure will need significant development to justify a contract in the NHL pipeline.
Development Focus:
Improve puck protection and lower-body strength to hold up against pressure.
Simplify puck movement under duress and reduce turnovers.
Enhance explosive stride mechanics and acceleration.
Continue gaining reps against older competition to speed up processing.
Verdict:
Daniels Serkins plays a complete and motivated game, logging important minutes for both club and country. While size and efficiency concerns limit his ceiling, his captaincy, offensive instincts, and hockey IQ warrant interest from teams willing to invest in a longer-term development path. His maturity and compete level give him a chance to outperform draft slot value.