The Star Prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft: An In-Depth Analysis
With the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup concluded, the scouting season for the 2026 NHL draft has unofficially begun. Junior teams are about to start their training camps, NCAA players are settling into their universities, and the hockey season is just around the corner. This year, like the previous one, certain players will dominate the conversations about the top prospects. Thanks to rule changes, we are seeing players make the jump from Canadian junior leagues to the NCAA. It will be interesting to closely follow how these players develop and the impact of older competition on their performance. In the 2025 draft, NHL teams made it clear that big defensemen and gritty, skilled forwards are highly valued. This season, there will be no shortage of right-handed defensemen who will be in the top 10 discussion, as well as talented forwards that teams will be keeping a close eye on. Below, we present the players you should know, especially if your team is not a Stanley Cup playoff contender this season.Note: This list is in alphabetical order, except for the main favorite to be the first pick of the 2026 draft, who heads the list.Gavin McKenna
LW, Penn State Nittany Lions (NCAA)This is the most obvious name on the list. The buzz caused by his decision to play in the NCAA reached “SportsCenter”, demonstrating the stellar quality of this prospect. McKenna was one of the best players in the Canadian Hockey League last season, and will be one of the best, if not the best, players in the NCAA this season. By joining Penn State, McKenna is an offensive force that will make you jump out of your seat. He is a playmaker above all else, and is usually the best player on the ice. Attracts defensive attention, makes plays at full speed, and turns every skater on the ice into a scoring threat thanks to his puck distribution ability. He is expected to be among the best NCAA players in transition, destabilizing defenders and playing in every key situation. The NCAA will give McKenna the opportunity to strengthen his physique and learn to play against bigger and stronger opponents, preparing him to compete in the NHL next October. We could say he’s a player to watch, but the reality is that he’s the player to watch in this class, and he will appear in all highlight reels.Ethan Belchetz
LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)An imposing winger playing for the Spitfires, Belchetz’s 6-foot-5-inch frame will be impossible to miss. He has developed the ability to impose himself physically to impact the game, which was evident at the recent Hlinka-Gretzky Cup for Canada. He is learning to use his body along the wall to protect the puck, unbalance players, and make his way into dangerous areas of the rink. Given his physique and willingness to get physically involved, it’s easy to understand why teams are excited about him. He’s a powerful winger with puck skills and above-average shooting ability. If he can add speed and aggressiveness to his game, it won’t be surprising to see teams selecting him in the top 10, in the same way they did with Brady Martin and Porter Martone in the 2025 class.Viggo Björck
C/W, Djurgårdens (J20)It’s generally a good sign when you break scoring records and get pulled from your age group (Hlinka) to play in the World Junior Summer Showcase. Björck fits the bill. He’s a very skilled center who possesses a great playmaking ability. His creative playing style showcases an elite hockey sense, and he has the ability to control the game with good acceleration, a quick release, and above-average puck-handling skills. He’s strong on the puck, defensively sound, and a projectable center for the NHL. If he grows a couple of inches, there’s a real possibility he’ll hear his name in the top five in June.Tynan Lawrence
C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)After a season in the USHL in which he was the Clark Cup MVP at 16 years old, Lawrence will be a fascinating player to watch in his final junior season. He is committed to Boston University for 2026-27. Succeeding as a young center in the USHL is no easy task, and Lawrence was up to the challenge. He has excellent instincts on both sides of the puck, allowing him to thrive on the penalty kill and the power play. I expect him to be on the top units of both for Muskegon this season. Offensively, he has soft hands and a smooth shot and can release pucks once he gets to the center of the ice. He should be one of the main playmakers in transition this season with his ability to make plays at speed after the rush. Lawrence will be a key player for the Lumberjacks and will be tasked with earning his offensive minutes while playing solid defensive hockey. Scouts like his work rate and instincts, and there is a path to being a top-10 pick if he dominates the way some believe he can.
Ryan Lin
D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)It won’t make you jump out of your seat with spectacular tricks like some players on this list will, but there may not be a more complete defenseman in the draft. Lin is the type of player who often goes unnoticed because he doesn’t make mistakes. He closes plays early with proper angles, a good stick, and excellent reads. His hockey sense and decision-making are two of his best qualities, allowing him to make the simple play and get his team going with a quality first pass. He plays in all situations, including the penalty shootout and the power play, and should be the engine of the Giants this season. His offensive numbers don’t jump out, but with some development in his skating, he has the potential to be an elite two-way defenseman who dictates the game on both sides of the puck. Lin will play 30 minutes per game for Vancouver this season and will have every opportunity to thrive offensively and defensively. If he grows a few inches, he is 5-11, it will only help his draft value.Mathis Preston
C/W, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)One of the most exciting players to watch at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, Preston is a shrewd playmaker with smooth skating and an elite hockey sense. His offensive instincts constantly put him in the right place at the right time, drawing defenders towards him before making a play that creates a high-danger opportunity for a teammate. He is elusive, makes good decisions with the puck, and uses his quick hands to execute with ease. He is going to be one of the biggest offensive producers this season as a draft-eligible player. If he continues to develop his offensive toolbox, he will be a top-10 pick due to his potential as a high-level winger in the NHL. Given his late July birthday, I would expect him to be the star of the U18 world championship next year if he isn’t in the WHL playoffs. Wherever he is playing, he will draw attention with his highlight-reel playmaking ability.Chase Reid
D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)Reid’s development curve has been fascinating to watch, and he will have every opportunity to lead the Greyhounds’ blue line this season. The right-handed defenseman is a good combination of smooth mobility, high-level offensive instincts, quality transition play, and enough raw talent to become a legitimate top-pairing defender. He will undoubtedly be one of the best defensemen in the OHL this season and will be relied upon to play heavy matchups in key situations, producing offense. It’s rare for a defenseman to produce a point per game in Division I season, but Reid did it, and that put him on many NHL radars. If his defensive game continues to improve and he becomes elite on both sides of the puck in transition, he will be a highly sought-after product in the next draft.Ryan Roobroeck
C/W, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)Roobroeck will be one of the most intriguing prospects to watch this season, as many scouts are wondering where he will play. He turns a year older at the end of September, so he will be in his third OHL season after leading Niagara in scoring in his Division I year. The real question is whether Roobroeck will play center or on the wing, as he did in his first two seasons. At 6-4 tall, good skating, reliable play on special teams, and a quality shot for the NHL, his value will increase significantly if he can demonstrate his abilities as a play-driving center. If he develops his playmaking in the middle of the ice to become a more dual threat and more physically engaged, there are many reasons to believe he will be a top 10 pick.
Daxon Rudolph
D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)Rudolph’s development took off in the second half of last season, and he should be the leader of Prince Albert’s blue line this season. With more opportunities, Rudolph is likely to accumulate offensive numbers with his ability to beat defenders and find open teammates for high-danger scoring chances. He is a complete player with good skating that allows him to defend the rush well with gap control. He has thrived when elevated to higher-leverage matchups, and it will be interesting to see how he takes on that role throughout the WHL season in his draft year. Teams will be watching closely to see if he can continue to control the game on both sides of the puck and produce offensively as a right-handed defenseman.Ivar Stenberg
LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)A transitioning ace with the ability to play on both wings, Stenberg has turned heads regardless of the level he plays at. He looked like the best player at the World Junior Showcase as an underage player after tearing up the J20 league in his 17-year-old season. He was two weeks away from being draft-eligible in 2025 and is on track to be a lottery pick in the upcoming draft. Playing in the SHL in your draft year is no joke, and Stenberg has the skating, creativity, and skill to thrive with Frölunda. His ability to make his teammates better by quarterbacking a power play, facilitating offense in transition with speed along with elite playmaking and above-average instincts make him an attractive player. At this stage, he is projected to be a top-line NHL winger, and his value will only improve if he continues to develop his off-puck game.Keaton Verhoeff
D, University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (NCAA)A 6-4 right-handed defenseman who eats up minutes and has leadership qualities? You know that has caught the attention of the NHL scouting world. There are those who believe Verhoeff will challenge McKenna for the top spot in the next draft. Just by skill, it’s hard to argue that. But given Verhoeff’s size, his ability to impact the game, and the fact that he’s a right-handed defenseman, it wouldn’t be surprising if some teams felt that way. He’s a player to turn to in all situations and should be a key member of North Dakota’s blue line this fall. He makes a good first pass to get out of the zone, his shot is NHL caliber, and he has the hockey sense to facilitate offense in the zone. Defensively, he’s more advanced than others in this draft class, and that will only improve against tougher competition in the NCAA. If he can improve his skating to match the pace, defend in transition, and quickly transition to offense, he will be drafted in the top three.
