Even after the U18 Worlds and the NHL Combine ended the scouting season, Sportsnet’s final 2026 NHL Draft rankings paint a class that’s hard to sort—especially at the very top, where two slightly undersized wingers sit just ahead of a group of NHL-sized defenc
Even once the U18 Worlds and the NHL Combine wrapped up the scouting season, the top end of the 2026 NHL Draft still refuses to settle down.
The reason isn’t a lack of talent—it’s the messiness of projecting it. The top two ranked players are slightly undersized wingers, separated by role and style rather than dominance. Behind them comes a cluster of five defencemen, three right-handed, all with NHL size. Then you add a couple of centres and a handful of prospects who could realistically be in the top 10. and the class becomes less a clean ladder and more a knot that scouts will keep working at until draft night.
Sportsnet draft fans have always tried to force drafts into tiers. This edition maps it that way: a top three. then the next five. then another group of five players to complete three tiers across the first 13 picks. After that. the rankings broaden into another group of roughly 10 players that could fall within the range of the top 23—before even more variance shows up.
And the debate isn’t academic. The race for No. 1 stayed tight all season long. and even after seeing Gavin McKenna up close at the NHL Combine. there wasn’t a clean. universal answer at the top. The colleague Jason Bukala and the author of these final rankings “can’t even arrive at a consensus No. 1,” even though they’re both working from the same season’s body of work.
The U18 tournament, they note, tends to lift players more than it hurts them. This year, it did that too—creating a few new names worth keeping an eye on as the draft conversation moves from workouts to actual picks.
The NHL Combine itself, meanwhile, is where this draft’s uncertainty becomes operational. Teams have been expanding their sport science and medical departments. and they’re starting to take physical testing results and medical reports more seriously than in the past. The practical questions are blunt: if a player is weak, can teams exploit the opportunity?. If a player is strong, how much stronger can he get before his play is affected?. And whether there are predictive signs in testing or medicals that can point to future health problems—or future development opportunities—has become part of the decision-making process.
Mock drafts are set to come during draft week, with projections built around which teams will pick which players. These rankings don’t go that far; they’re presented without accounting for team slotting.
No. 1: Gavin McKenna, LW, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Penn St. (NCAA)
The No. 1 case is simple: the author says the race for the top pick was tight all season long. and getting to see McKenna “up close and personal” at the NHL Combine convinced him McKenna is the top prospect in the class. McKenna is described as the most gifted, creative and talented offensive player available. The work ethic shows up in his physical strength and conditioning. which is supported by a top-10 showing in four of the 15 and a top-25 showing in eight of 15 combine tests. In the interview process. McKenna is described as forthcoming and as someone who understands what needs to be done to play regularly at the next level.
No. 2: Ivar Stenberg. LW. 5-foot-11. 183 pounds. Frolunda (SHL)
Stenberg is ranked just behind McKenna as a reliable player in all situations. with a profile built to produce top-level offence. He competes off the puck. plays defensively when needed. works well along the wall. and is credited with changing pace through sharp cutbacks and capable acceleration. He’s called a playmaker who can also operate at the net front and score from mid-range. The author highlights that Stenberg adapts easily regardless of size. strength and age of competition. adding that he has a chance to play in the NHL next year.
No. 3: Chase Reid, RD, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Reid is described as having Cale Makar-like qualities. including elite skating and edgework. with the author calling him possibly the best skater among this group. He passes quickly and accurately with NHL pace and has a “bomb of a shot” that projects him to run a PP1 power play role. Character-wise, he’s noted for overcoming adversity and answering the bell whenever more responsibility arrived. The author says it will be interesting to see whether his developmental pattern stays as steep at Michigan State. and compares him to Porter Martone by the end of next season.
No. 4: Caleb Malhotra, C, 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
Malhotra is presented as the best all-around centre in the class. His path is laid out as a sequence of benchmarks: a brilliant BCHL playoff run in his draft minus-one year. earning his spot in the top-six on a deep Brantford team. and being named captain of the CHL team in the CHL/USA Prospects challenge in November. where the author says he was the best player. On the ice. he’s described as a strong thinker who is consistently on the right side of the puck and puts pucks in areas that keep his team out of danger. His playoff production—13 goals and 26 points—ranked fourth among all players. giving teams confidence he can provide offence when it’s most difficult.
No. 5: Carson Carels. LD. 6-foot-1. 198 pounds. Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Carels is ranked based on the author’s first impression: the prospect “inspires confidence” from the moment he’s met. and coaches feel the same way about his ability to be trusted in any situation. Carels is described as excelling in every facet of the game—making smart puck decisions that set up teammates or create plays himself. defending vigorously by getting into opponents’ hands or using strength to body them out of position. and showing a major uptick in point production from six goals and 35 points to 20 goals and 73 points in two fewer games. Like Brady Martin last year. Carels will opt out of attending the draft in Buffalo. and will instead take care of things “on the ranch” at home in Manitoba.
No. 6: Viggo Bjorck. RW. 5-foot-9. 177 pounds. Djurgardens (SHL)
At the NHL Combine. Bjorck is described as arriving slightly taller and thicker than the author expected. Interview-wise. he comes across as confident without being cocky—easy to speak to. engaged. and unconcerned about his size becoming an issue. His world juniors performance is called “epic,” though it was said to be overshadowed by Stenberg. Bjorck is also noted for playing top minutes and PP1 for Sweden’s men’s national team. even if Stenberg produced a slightly higher point total. The author says Bjorck’s numbers at the U18 and U20 levels “jump off the page. ” and describes him as a tireless worker who’s always calculating the game and working ahead of opponents. adding that he doesn’t shy away from anything.
No. 7: Keaton Verhoeff, RD, 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, U. North Dakota (NCAA)
Verhoeff arrives with a chip on his shoulder. the author says. and came to the NHL Combine ready to prove he was worth the hype that had him as the draft’s top player earlier in the season. With other elite defencemen pushing at the top—and at least two of them right shots—Verhoeff’s ranking remains intact as others move past him just enough to challenge. The author points out that NCAA hockey isn’t easy. and it’s especially hard for a young freshman defending against bigger. older. faster competition every day. He compares the right-shot defencemen archetype to Drew Doughty. John Carlson. Aaron Ekblad and Cale Makar. and frames the question as whether Verhoeff can produce at Doughty or Ekblad levels.
No. 8: Daxon Rudolph. RD. 6-foot-2. 206 pounds. Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Rudolph’s offensive output is front and centre: a 28-goal. 78-point regular season and an additional 27 points in 19 playoff games. while leading his team to the WHL final. He’s also identified as a former first overall pick in the WHL bantam draft. and he’ll continue developing at Denver University under David Carle. The author describes his mobility to make plays off the blue line. his smarts to evade coverage in the offensive zone. his puck-transport ability in transition. and a “nasty side” to his game. The keys moving forward are said to be ironing out defensive zone detail and managing his physical game.
No. 9: Alberts Smits. LD. 6-foot-3. 205 pounds. Munchen (DEL)
The author calls Smits the most NHL-ready player available in the draft class. and builds the case around the last 16 months of nonstop acceleration. Smits has played for his country in U18, U20 and men’s senior tournaments, and at the Olympic Games. He’s also played with and against men in Finland and Germany’s top professional leagues. often used in a top-pairing role. The season ends with him winning the EJ McGuire award. given annually to the draft prospect “who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character. competitiveness. and athleticism.”.
No. 10: Ethan Belchetz. LW. 6-foot-5. 228 pounds. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Belchetz’s ranking is shaped by a gap in visibility: a collarbone injury left scouts short of playoff and ultimately U18 viewings. During recovery. the author says Belchetz focused on nutrition and strength building and became more lean. with muscle distribution described as different than at the start of the season. He’s called a power forward with a mean streak and is expected to play at the next level once he completely fills out. The profile includes a big league shot. a big-league body and big-league nastiness. plus hands that allow him to score from distance and at the net front. The author adds that with added quickness—especially off the mark—Belchetz can move from a player with just over point-per-game numbers into a much more sought-after offensive threat. while consistency is the main next step.
No. 11: Malte Gustafsson. LD. 6-foot-4. 201 pounds. HV71 (SHL)
Gustafsson left a lasting impression at the U18s with smart two-way play. wearing an ‘A’ and posting five points in six games. The author cites his poise and calmness under pressure, along with good feet, lateral movement, agility and a long reach. Defensively. he’s credited with using skating to take away time and space in the neutral zone and defending inside his own zone. On the national team, he seems more like an offensive threat, though the author says scoring is otherwise limited. The ranking places him at the start of the author’s second tier of defencemen. with a projection for steady improvement in offensive numbers and a move toward secondary offence and second-pairing potential.
No. 12: Wyatt Cullen. LW. 6-foot-1. 176 pounds. USNTDP (USHL)
Cullen’s rise is tied to a growth spurt: he entered the USNTDP at the start of last season at just 5-foot-8 and under 150 pounds. and his most recent measurement at the Combine is 6-foot-1. 176 pounds. He missed the early part of the season due to a growth-related injury. Once back. he’s shown a dynamic side and is described as one of the best puck-handlers in the draft class. Cullen is also described as having rocket-like acceleration and great feet. The author highlights NHL bloodlines through his father Matt, a three-time Stanley Cup champion. Cullen’s U18 output is noted as nine points for the US as their only point-per-game player.
No. 13: Alexander Command, C, 6-foot, 186 pounds, Orebro (Sweden J20)
Command’s momentum is tracked since Christmas. He started the season cut from the Hlinka-Gretzky team. worked through that enough to earn six SHL games. and then adjusted when he got away from his game after returning from SHL stints. In both the WJAC and the U18 worlds. he earned more minutes to become a trusted player and produced point-per-game numbers in events where Sweden earned bronze and gold respectively. The author argues that his hard. honest. determination-to-win style should benefit from the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Cup more than any other prospect in the class. because coaches will love his work ethic. determination and reliability.
No. 14: Tynan Lawrence. C. 6-foot. 185 pounds. Boston University (NCAA)
Lawrence’s mid-season move to the NCAA—especially after injury—is described as something many feel was a questionable move. His lack of production—two goals and seven points in 18 games—is expected to draw criticism. but the author frames it alongside the idea that expectations may have been too high for a 17-year-old. Others, the author says, believe Lawrence played the right way in the NCAA, got chances and was simply snake-bitten. His draft slot and potential will be debated heavily because the draft class lacks high-end centres. The author points to previous success. including a playoff MVP performance for USHL Muskegon in his draft minus-one season and multiple productive international appearances. The author adds that his most recent U18 worlds performance—six points in five games. second-best for Canada—may define his draft position.
No. 15: Ryan Lin. RD. 5-foot-11. 178 pounds. Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Lin is described as polarizing. especially after a 2025 draft that didn’t see one defenceman under 6-foot taken. His strengths include extreme mobility and the way he uses deceptive tactics to avoid oncoming forecheckers. In the offensive zone, those tactics also matter. He competes hard. gaps up well. and had a late-season injury but recovered in time for nine tune-up games with Vancouver before heading over to the U18s. In that event. he showed more physicality. and the author says he’s willing and able to be part of the rush consistently. Internationally. Lin is called a key contributor. including two U18 worlds—one a gold medal—and like Daxon Rudolph. he’ll go to Denver to continue his development.
No. 16: Elton Hermansson. RW. 6-foot-3. 181 pounds. Modo (Allsvenskan)
Hermansson is credited for strong bookends to the season: 11 points in five Hlinka-Gretzky games to start. then a strong U18 showing with 12 points in seven games en route to a gold medal and a top player award. The author calls him a good-sized winger with goal-scoring acumen and notes he was moved up to Allsvenskan mid-season and still contributed offensively. His 11 goals are said to have topped all 17-year-old players in the Allsvenskan.
No. 17: Oscar Hemming. LW. 6-foot-3. 193 pounds. Boston College (NCAA)
Hemming missed half a season while his representatives worked through a contractual dispute in Finland. When the impasse stalled. he changed course: the author says Hemming moved on from trying to play for OHL Kitchener and instead made his way to Boston College. His game is described as built around size and a bulldog mentality that he embraces. The author notes it’s hard to extrapolate his offence because he had only 19 games of college hockey. collecting eight points. Still. he has some scoring and the author highlights that his dad is a former pro player and his brother Emil is a first-round NHL Draft pick.
No. 18: Nikita Klepov, RW, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Klepov’s adjustment into the OHL as a 17-year-old rookie is detailed. The author describes uncertainty early on and then a breakthrough: last season he had 31 points in 59 USHL games before moving to Saginaw. By the end of the season. he became the first OHL rookie to lead the league in points (97) since Patrick Kane in 2007. The author says his goal and point totals tripled in a more skilled league. Klepov projects as top-six offence with special power-play effectiveness. He started with a well-rounded game. got “a little too point happy. ” and then by the end of the year was playing more responsibly again. His skill set includes creativity, puck protection, elite vision, and openness to hard coaching.
No. 19: Adam Novotny, LW, 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Novotny is described as a fine skater who plays a pro-style game. He’s also said to endear himself to teammates and coaches. The author includes a specific decision: Novotny consciously turned down pro money at home to come to North America to learn the game on the smaller ice surface. His play is described as hunting pucks, laying the body and taking advantage of shooting opportunities. At the world juniors. he adapted to a different role with more responsibility. keyed on forechecking and playing responsibly above the puck. The author frames him as the type of player you want on the ice when games get difficult.
No. 20: J.P. Hurlbert. LW. 5-foot-11. 183 pounds. Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Hurlbert’s season includes a physical transformation since arriving in Kamloops: he’s added 10 pounds and almost an inch of height. The author notes the upper-body mass looked noticeably different at the NHL Combine than it did in November. The off-ice detail is almost as specific: the author says he showed up in a suit and traveled with enough suits to cover off team and media interviews. calling it a rarity and connecting it to how he represents himself. his family and the Blazers organization. On ice. the author says Hurlbert competes on and off puck. can make plays. loves shooting. and scored 42 goals on 294 shots this season. His path is described as unusual: he left the USNTDP at 17 to play in the WHL.
No. 21: Ilia Morozov, C, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Miami (NCAA)
Morozov’s appeal is tied to daily improvement during his draft-eligible season. The author calls it difficult to do—especially as one of the youngest players in the draft while playing in older. harder NCAA ranks. Physically. he doesn’t look like a younger player. and he’s described as broad-shouldered. strong. and skilled enough to make plays and rip pucks. He moves well in open ice. uses size and strength to protect the puck. shields defenders and creates time and space to find teammates. The author says his commitment to working and improving endears him to coaches and teammates.
No. 22: Maddox Dagenais. C. 6-foot-4. 196 pounds. Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Dagenais’ ranking is hinged on positional belief: if a team believes he can play centre. the author says positional bias could push him higher than this spot. He’s described as confident with NHL bloodlines. Early on. it took him much of the first half to understand he could impact games without scoring and by using physicality. The turning point is framed as the CHL/USA Prospects Challenge. where he finished every hit. hustled to loose pucks. was a forechecking menace. and chipped in with an assist. Offence includes a pro shot with power and accuracy and described as a volume shooter. The author says he has room to add strength and muscle. and closes the thought by saying there’s “some Todd Bertuzzi” in him.
No. 23: Tommy Bleyl, RD, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
Bleyl is compared to Lane Hutson, including in size. The author says Bleyl is an extremely confident puck mover who excels in multiple offensive areas. His game includes elite skating in all directions, stick skills, and deception that work at high speed. His development is called “stunning” given he spent his draft minus-one year in prep school. He led the QMJHL in assists with 68 and outpaced the next-closest rookie defenceman by 37 points. Defending the rush and cutting plays in neutral ice are described as strengths. The author says he’ll have to adapt to defending bigger, stronger bodies, and gets that chance at Michigan State. The projection: a PP1 quarterback at the NHL level.
No. 24: William Hakansson, LD, 6-foot-4, 207 pounds, Lulea (SHL)
Hakansson is described as a defensive-minded player who knows his identity. He’s a hard. not necessarily heavy defender who uses his body well in defending the net front. leaning on opponents to dislodge pucks while still having puck skills to begin transition. The author suggests his game can round out with secondary production later. while in the meantime he’s happy to play to his strengths.
No. 25: Oliver Suvanto. C. 6-foot-2. 207 pounds. Tappara (Liiga)
Suvanto is presented as young and raw. with a pro-style game that may take time to translate to the NHL level. The author notes his birthday is two weeks shy of him being eligible for next year’s draft instead. and that he spent the season playing against professionals in Liiga. Production struggled, especially despite middle six minutes. The author says his numbers were underwhelming and that’s concerning. while he adds that Suvanto tested well at the combine and already possesses a pro body. His strengths include working the corners, warding off defenders and protecting the puck. The author believes he fits cycle-team needs. but with fewer and fewer cycle teams in the NHL. his path may be tougher. He could go higher than the ranking suggests if a team believes there’s unearthed offence in his projection.
No. 26: Xavier Villeneuve. LD. 5-foot-11. 162 pounds. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
Villeneuve plays as a sub-6-foot defender using his motor and high compete to work through size issues. The author calls him a leader on the ice. sometimes too willing to take matters into his own hands. with speed and quickness helping him around the ice. He has good numbers in the QMJHL but the key question is whether it translates to the next level. The author asks what teams see defensively and whether that’s enough to take a high-compete player who can play bottom-six minutes regularly.
No. 27: Simas Ignatavicius. RW. 6-foot-3. 198 pounds. Geneva (SUI)
Ignatavicius is described as laser-focused on becoming an NHL player since he could talk. The author emphasizes that he moved away from home early to pursue more competitive hockey. lived on his own. learned multiple languages. and basically lived as an adult since his teenage years. He stayed in Switzerland to play pro during his draft year. and it worked: the author cites 20 goals and 40 points in 29 games playing for coach Ville Peltonen. He also idolizes Patrick Kane but wants to pattern his game after Matthew Tkachuk. The author adds he has a chance to become the highest drafted Lithuanian ever taken in the NHL. His athletic family is described too: his dad played pro basketball and his mother played handball.
No. 28: Nikita Shcherbakov. LD. 6-foot-5. 187 pounds. Ufa (Russia) Shcherbakov is called a real enigma because the author says it would’ve been perfect if he’d been able to make it to North America to play in the junior ranks. The author frames what-if comparisons. noting he might have looked like Nikita Zadorov who went 16th overall to Buffalo in the 2013 draft and now has played over 800 NHL games. But Shcherbakov’s bite isn’t
as obvious yet, at least compared to Zadorov. Instead. he’s described as a smooth skater with power in his stride and puck handling for a player of his size. He’s effective as part of the rush and also makes plays in his own zone to initiate it. The author says he transitioned from the MHL to the VHL in Russia, production dipped slightly, but quality minutes stayed. The author can’t speak to his character, but
says teams would still take him for the hockey perspective.
No. 29: Egor Shilov. C. 6-foot. 177 pounds. Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
Shilov has top-10 skill. the author says. but there’s concern about his play away from the puck. his defensive play overall. and his consistent compete level. On the plus side, he has lightning quick hands and small-area escapability. His vision is described as elite, requiring teammates to be ready for the puck anywhere, anytime. The author also notes he works well along the wall and protects the puck when engaged. Like Klepov, Shilov spent last year in the USHL. The author says he nearly tripled both his point and goal totals, leading all QMJHL rookies with 82 points. To unlock that elite skill. the author says a team will need strong player development and strong leadership in the room to keep high standards.
No. 30: Tobias Trejbal. G. 6-foot-4. 190 pounds. Youngstown (USHL)
Trejbal is described as an “interesting study.” He commands a room with his size. style and smile. and the author says he meets all NHL teams’ height requirement for the position. Though goalies tend to be lean. the author says there’s room on his frame to add weight and strength without sacrificing athleticism. His best trait is calmness. and the author describes him as prepared. poised and efficient—calculating in how he approaches games by preparing through stretching and studying opponents. That calmness is said to permeate the team. Technically, he’s called very sound, moves well and stays square to the puck. He absorbs pucks and directs those he can’t contain away from harm’s way. The author projects Trejbal as the first goalie off the board. likely to be selected by a team with multiple first-rounders.
No. 31: Maksim Sokolovskii, LD, 6-foot-7, 238 pounds, London Knights (OHL)
Sokolovskii’s late first-round upside is described as tied to his size and sheer upside, with the comfort of coming out of the London Knights program also playing a role.
No. 32: Liam Ruck. RW. 5-foot-11. 187 pounds/Markus Ruck. C. 5-foot-11. 167 pounds. Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
The final ranking is about a rare draft situation: twins who have spent less than a week away from each other their entire lives. The author says the brothers need to be drafted together to maximize their talents. even though it would require a lot of things to go right. The author acknowledges that some teams will believe splitting could benefit both players. He also points out the twins benefited from the departures of Gavin McKenna and Cayden Lindstrom from Medicine Hat. and took full advantage of the minutes void left in the lineup.
Liam is described as a right-shot shooter who improved from 25 goals and 41 points to 45 goals and 104 points this season. Markus is described as a left-shot playmaker who went from eight goals and 21 assists to 21 goals and 87 assists for 108 points. good enough to lead the WHL. The author adds both players need a couple of years to mature physically. Their dad, Derek, is also mentioned: he played in the WHL and is 6-foot-3 and weighs over 200 pounds.
The story running under all of it is that this draft class is close enough at the top to keep arguments alive. With physical testing and medical reports playing a bigger role. and with the U18 Worlds and NHL Combine shaping what teams believe. the first 23 spots look like a landscape still being mapped in real time—one that could change fast once organizations start attaching their own beliefs to the same set of measurements and performances.
NHL Draft 2026 Gavin McKenna Ivar Stenberg Chase Reid Caleb Malhotra Carson Carels NHL Combine U18 Worlds rankings prospects