2026 NHL Draft Stock Watch After the World Junior Championships

For the first time since 2012, the World Junior Championships had a winner other than Canada, USA, or Finland. Exorcising some longstanding demons, a practically unstoppable Sweden team fought hard for its gold medal.

Two draft-eligible members of that Swedish team made their case to be taken in the top 10 of the NHL draft, and one of them showed why his name is in the conversation for first overall.

Both players are on our list of players whose draft stocks we're examining. We didn't have any draft-eligible players whose stock declined as a result of this tournament, but there are caveats with some names. 

We're also only looking at first-time draft-eligibles, but there is one name that NHL fans should remember: Tomas Galvas. He's been passed over twice, but his skill was on full display and hard to ignore.

1. Ivar Stenberg: Up

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While I don't have Ivar Stenberg at the top of my list, I came away from this tournament with an even better understanding of why others do.

While there is a lot to be impressed by in his game, the facet that stood out most was his small-area work.

He was regularly using some evasive skating maneuver or protecting and handling the puck close in, either to fend off opponents or create scoring chances. 

His vision and offensive instincts are superb, but he's no one-trick pony. He's just as engaged without the puck, which is saying something. He knows how to select his moments to shoot, but he also knows when to pass—and how to make it a great pass.

Stenberg finished the tournament with seven points in six games played, but it felt like he should've had about double that.

2. Gavin McKenna: Steady

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Don't read too much into Gavin McKenna being second in this article and Ivar Stenberg being first.

I've written many articles lately, with McKenna as the first slide; something had to change. He remains first on my personal list, but I did come away echoing the questions that many others have about his play without the puck. 

McKenna was the most consistent forward for Canada outside of Michael Hage. Let's get that established quickly. He finished the tournament second in scoring, with 14 points in seven games, although he also picked up 14 penalty minutes.

Ten of those were for game misconduct for abusing officials, which isn't something you want during your draft season, but in his defense, everyone on Canada's roster was melting down at that point.

His engagement level without the puck wasn't what I wanted to see; I didn't love how he played along the perimeter on many occasions. Before making any hasty judgments based on a two-week tournament, we need to see how he looks when he goes back to college.

3. Chase Reid: Up 

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I was already high on Chase Reid, and I left the tournament feeling even higher on him. The main reason? When top USA defenseman Cole Hutson was out, my first thought was that the best way to replace him was to use Reid in heavier minutes. Coach Bob Motzko apparently decided to do just that, and it led to some wonderful moments.

While the USA ultimately had a disappointing exit in the quarterfinals—and underwhelming performances by several players—Reid was a bright light. In later games, particularly, he could be found alongside LJ Mooney, Teddy Stiga, and Ryker Lee, and the energetic forecheck that group established created some of the USA's best and most consistent possession moments.

He was chewing key minutes while Hutson was out, and while people were quick to point out his gaffes, it's worth noting that you're going to make more visible mistakes if you have the puck more; you've got more time in which to make those mistakes.

Reid is worth it.

4. Keaton Verhoeff: Steady

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I ended World Juniors feeling much the same as I did about Keaton Verhoeff before the tournament started: impressed. 

He did all that was expected of him to do. He played in five games and came out with four points. He didn't do anything that dazzled, but there were no real complaints.

There were several moments where he and McKenna had some nice passing plays that would've been a cool moment between top prospects on the score sheet if they had turned into goals.

5. Carson Carels: Steady

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Carson Carels played a limited role for Canada, mainly on its fourth defensive pairing, but he did the utmost he could with the room he was given.

His draft stock has not changed much, but the feelings around his play remain positive. 

Carels brought a nice physicality to each shift, which felt like Canada was missing in other areas. He brings a meanness to the ice that is genuine and productive rather than simply hitting guys to start drama.

He's constantly engaged when he's on the ice, always knowing where he needs to be.

I have him going in the mid-first round of the draft and will be surprised if he makes it out of the top 10, given what NHL teams often prioritize.

6. Oliver Suvanto: Steady

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It was a heartbreaking end for Finland as it lost the bronze medal to Canada, but there was not a single name on the roster who had anything to be ashamed of.

The Finnish players fought their hearts out until the end. One of those players was draft-eligible Oliver Suvanto. 

Suvanto is marked "steady" here, but that's a compliment. He didn't blow me away enough for me to move him ahead of other players, but much like Verhoeff, he was exactly the player I expected to see, in the best way.

His details, two-way game and reliability were on display, among other solid traits. He earned a well-deserved Player of the Game award in the New Year's Eve matchup against Canada.

7. Viggo Bjorck: Up

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Viggo Bjorck looked like a top-10 pick, maybe even top five.

He has no quit in his game. He is on the smaller side at 5'10", but watching him slice through his opponents, you'd never realize it.

At one point in overtime between Sweden and Finland during the semifinals, he had four separate breakaways. He didn't score on any of them, but that's not going to haunt him when you consider he came out of this tournament with a gold medal.

Bjorck finished the tournament with seven points and felt like he could have doubled that easily if opposing goaltenders weren't so good. He's so smart.

Someone is going to get an incredible player if they select him in the NHL draft.