Way-Too-Early Top 10 Ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft

A broken thumb and a cast weren't going to stop me from bringing you some piping-hot, too-early takes on what the Top 10 in the 2026 NHL Draft might look like. 

We've been discussing the current consensus, first overall, with Gavin McKenna, all year. This isn't a James Hagens situation, either. I will be shocked if McKenna moves from that first overall slot. It's possible, of course—McKenna just committed to play NCAA hockey at Penn State, leaving the WHL and the Medicine Hat Tigers behind. While I don't think he'll have that much trouble adjusting, some prospect pundits out there are prone to overreacting.

But let's be honest: it's his spot to lose, and it's going to take a lot.
Let's take a look at McKenna and some others who will follow him. These are rankings, but don't read too much into the exact location of these guys in this top 10; think of it more along the lines of this being an introduction to your top prospects to watch.

But let's be honest: it's his spot to lose, and it's going to take a lot.

Let's take a look at McKenna and some others who will follow him. These are rankings, but don't read too much into the exact location of these guys in this top 10; think of it more along the lines of this being an introduction to your top prospects to watch.

1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

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Had I written this article a few weeks ago, that header would've said Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. It's not an overstatement to say that his decision to join Penn State shocked the hockey world. It's a sign of the changing times—not just the policies themselves, but the way each development league is perceived by those to whom they matter most. 

Gavin McKenna is a gimme at first overall, and I genuinely don't see him moving. This isn't like with Hagens, and it isn't even like a Macklin Celebrini situation. McKenna is one of those players you want to slap a generational label on from early days. He's phenomenally gifted offensively, able to process play at the game's top speeds; play-driving is an understatement.

It will be interesting to see how his game translates to the NCAA, but don't misunderstand me—I  don't think he's going to have any trouble whatsoever.

2. Keaton Verhoeff, D, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

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Size is definitely Keaton Verhoeff's calling card when it comes to the more traditional scouts. He's 6'4" and 217 pounds at barely 17 years old. Make no mistake, however. That's not remotely all that he brings to the table. He's an excellent skater, and while he has been primarily a shutdown-style defenseman to this point, he also shows signs of offensive ability that is intriguing.

Are we noticing a trend? While Verhoeff played for the Victoria Royals of the WHL last season, he's headed to the University of North Dakota this fall. Going up against stronger, more experienced players as a 17-year-old defenseman will be a good challenge for his draft season, and one he's definitely up to facing.

3. Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frolunda (Swedish Hockey League)

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Ivar Stenberg spent most of last season with Frolunda’s junior team. When the senior team came calling, though, he made the most of it, particularly in the playoffs, where he notched 6 points in 12 games. He also had the opportunity to take on a leading role at this year’s U18 World Championships, where he was Sweden’s best player on their way to a silver medal. He had eight goals in seven games. 

Stenberg’s pure skill and speed are his two best assets, but don’t overlook the way that he thinks the game at such a high level. We’ll be watching that hockey sense closely this season, as the ability it gives him to read and control play could lead to a significant leap this year.

4. Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

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You’re going to see a lot of people talk about Ryan Roobroeck this season and that comes down to two things: size and scoring. Roobroeck is 6’4”, 190 pounds, and he finished last season—his second in the OHL—with 87 points in 64 games. It’s a significant leap from his first season totals of 51 points in 63 games, and it doesn’t feel like a stretch to expect similar growth this season. He was born just slightly too late for the 2025 draft, so he’s already got a bit of a head start on his peers in terms of development time. 

You’ve heard me say “I really love x but he needs to improve his skating” enough already this year, but it’s true for Roobroeck too. His hockey sense is great; his hands are great. But his skating is going to need a little work. He’s a guy who loves being around the net, his shot is high-end, and we’ve already seen improvement in his two-way game. Let’s see what next season brings. 

5. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

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Ethan Belchetz is huge, he loves getting in opponents’ faces, and he can score. What’s not to like?

At 6’5” and 225 pounds, Belchetz is impossible to miss on the ice. His rookie year point totals may not show it—he had 38 points in 56 games—but Belchetz was a number one pick in the OHL draft and there are good reasons why. Goal-scoring is high on the list thanks to his quick release, but he’s also quick, able to move his large frame where he needs to be when he needs to be there. 

He’s shown flashes of excellent offensive ability that I imagine will pan out into something more sustained next season, particularly as he gets the opportunity to play a more significant role for the Spitfires. He also has some real snarl, using his size to lay hits and get up close and personal with opponents.

6. Viggo Bjorck, C, Djugårdens IF U20

Viggo Bjorck currently owns the single/season scoring record in Sweden’s U20 league with 74 points in 42 games—something he accomplished at the age of 16. Just thought that might be a good way to give you a picture of the kind of player we’re looking at here. Bjorck essentially lit the league on fire, much like he did Sweden’s U18 league the year before. He’s probably going to rise a bit in these rankings next season, I’d guess. 

The problem? Bjorck is 5’9” at the moment. That might change, it might not, but league scouts are sometimes biased against shorter players. What his height doesn’t affect is his pure skill, which he has in spades. His hands are incredible, his ability to read the ice is top-notch, and the way he can find holes in the opponent’s defense and create plays to get through it is going to be incredibly valuable. 

7. Mathis Preston, RW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Mathis Preston put up 45 points in 54 games in his first full WHL season, but those point totals don’t tell the whole story of who he’s going to be as a player. His stick work is excellent, and his ability to play at top speeds makes him hard to contain sometimes. I anticipate that “sometimes” to increase next season. Just look at his 16 points in 20 playoff games if you want a glimpse at where he’s headed. 

Unlike others in this bunch, Preston isn’t a big player, coming in at 5’11”. He doesn’t need size; that’s fine. He’s got creativity, excellent offensive instincts, and a fantastic release. With Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall leaping the pros, watch for Preston to get the chance to step into a bigger role this season. 

8. Tynan Lawrence, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

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Can you say “Clark Cup MVP as a U17 rookie?” Tynan Lawrence can. Finishing at just under a point per game in your first USHL regular season isn’t anything to sneeze at, either (54 in 56). That MVP run wound up being 18 points in 14 games. Lawrence isn’t even 17 until August 3rd. 

It won’t surprise you to hear he’s also a Shattuck St. Mary’s product. They’re still churning out excellent players over there. 

Lawrence is a Boston University commit, and he’s not solely an offensive skill guy. He adds his own bit of snarl to his dynamic scoring game, and he’s got excellent hockey sense to boot. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t give the puck up once he gets it, except to make a play—and his plays are often precisely right for the moment.

9. Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

If we’re going by archetypes, Ryan Lin is the “small” (he’s 5’11”) defender who can move and score. During his rookie season with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL last season, he netted 53 points in 60 games. That’s ninth all-time for U17 defensemen in WHL history. Lin didn’t have as much of an impact on the scoresheet at the U18 World Championships as some of his peers, but his skills with the puck were on display nonetheless. 

He’s a very good skater, something that is becoming a requirement in his position; gone are the days of stationery pylon-style “stay at home” defensemen. If you can’t move, keep it moving. Lin is reliable and talented in all three zones, and with his skating and puck-moving abilities in mind, I would anticipate a jump from those rookie scoring totals. Don’t be surprised if he moves up our rankings if that happens.

10. Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Chase Reid, the only American in our top 10 right now, started his OHL career last season with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds after leaving the Bismarck Bobcats of the NAHL. He ended up playing 39 OHL games, ending the season with 40 points and a place on the 1st OHL All-Rookie Team. He's a Michigan State commit; we'll see if he actually makes the jump from OHL to NCAA, but it is certainly possible these days.

A key facet of Reid's game is that he can eat important minutes, including on the power play. His skating and puck-moving ability are also highlights; he led all rookies in assists last season with 33, which is a nice glimpse at his ability to facilitate. That's an aspect we'll be keeping an eye on next season for sure.