7ft1 Alexander Karmanov's NHL Journey | NHL News

NHL News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 2, 2026 · 2m

Seven-foot-one Alexander Karmanov, the tallest player ever drafted, stunned the NHL world when the San Jose Sharks selected him 201st overall in the 2026 draft. A Moldovan-born defenseman who battled through junior leagues in North America, Karmanov skated with hockey legends like Connor McDavid, Gabriel Landeskog, and Zach Hyman—calling it a dream come true. He thrived in the brutal Ontario Hockey League, even dropping fights to protect teammates, and juggles dual Moldovan-Russian citizenship while eyeing a future with Russia. Now, at a pivotal moment, Karmanov must balance his international…