2026 NHL draft rankings: Keaton Verhoeff enters top 3, Chase Reid falls

2026 NHL draft rankings: Keaton Verhoeff enters top 3, Chase Reid falls originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With just a game or two left in the NHL schedule, the draft lottery is almost set. The draft lottery will commence on May 5, and once the draft order is revealed, teams can begin envisioning who they will select on draft night.

There is still plenty to be determined in draft rankings, as the CHL playoffs continue, and with the U-18s around the corner, the top prospects will have their opportunity to impress scouts ahead of the draft combine.

With that being said, today's rankings see a shift within the top three. For quite some time, Chase Reid has been the first defenseman on our board, but his recent struggles, combined with the stellar play of others, have led to intriguing movement.

1. Gavin McKenna

• Position: LW
• Current team: Penn State (NCAA)
• Measurables: 5'11", 170 pounds

Gavin McKenna stays at number one. Vancouver will have the best odds for first overall at 25.5 percent. Looking at the math of the NHL’s Pacific Division, the Canucks are almost 20 points behind Calgary in the standings. Additionally, only two of their forwards scored more than 20 goals. Vancouver needs help producing, which is something McKenna can do off the jump.

MORE: 2026 NHL draft rankings: Envisioning where top prospects fit best

2. Ivar Stenberg

• Position: LW/RW
• Current team: Frolunda (Sweden)
• Measurables: 5'11", 183 pounds

It was announced on Friday by Frolunda that Stenberg would not be returning for the 2026-27 SHL season, paving the way for him to start next year in North America. He had a near-historic year and will be an asset to whichever team selects him. Chicago currently maintains second place in the NHL Draft Lottery. If they take him at number two, I would be intrigued to see what he could do on a line with fellow Swede Anton Frondell.

3. Keaton Verhoeff

• Position: D
• Current team: North Dakota (NCAA)
• Measurables: 6'4", 208 pounds

North Dakota came up short in their NCAA Semifinal matchup to Wisconsin by a 2-1 margin. Despite the loss, Verhoeff showed his 200-foot game. He blocked shots while also shooting the puck well, embracing a third-pairing role throughout North Dakota’s playoff run.

The more tape I watch of him, the higher I see his ceiling. One veteran NHL scout I spoke to compared Verhoeff to two-time Stanley Cup champion Alex Pietrangelo. With Verhoeff’s more versatile style becoming more and more apparent, he is now my top defenseman.

4. Alberts Smits

• Position: D
• Current team: EHC Red Bull Munchen (Germany)
• Measurables: 6'3", 205 pounds

Smits and Red Bull are in the midst of a do-or-die Game 4 semifinal against Adler Mannheim at the time of publication. Munchen has come close to Mannheim, losing by one goal in both Games 1 and 2. Smits has one assist in the three games so far in this series. Playing against high-level competition led by former NHL coach Dallas Eakins can only help Smits be as ready as possible for the NHL.

MORE: NHL draft lottery odds: When was the last time each team made a top 10 selection

5. Viggo Bjorck

• Position: C/W
• Current team: Djurgarden (Sweden)
• Measurables: 5'9", 177 pounds

After SHL Djurgarden’s elimination, Bjorck shifted over to the U20 Djurgarden squad. Since then, he has elevated his game, as expected for a top prospect playing U20.

Still, the numbers Bjorck has put up in the U20 playoffs are remarkable. In six games, Bjorck has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists), averaging nearly three points per game. What makes me think higher of him is the decision he made.

According to Cam Robinson of eliteprospects.com, Bjorck opted to finish his season with U20 Djurgarden rather than departing for Team Sweden’s U18 Squad. This shows me a high degree of loyalty and commitment, which will serve him well in the NHL.

6. Chase Reid

• Position: D
• Current team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
• Measurables: 6'2", 188 pounds

Reid hasn't been as impactful in these OHL Playoffs, with only three points in seven games. Having watched more of him during the post-season, there is growing concern about how he will adapt to the NHL.

He's definitely quick, but one NHL scout told me of Reid:

“Reid reminds me of Brandt Clarke, who went eighth overall to LA in 2021. Clarke is a solid NHL player, but hasn’t lived up to the expectations coming out of juniors.”

Wherever Reid goes, his first season at the professional level will be crucial in his development and uncovering his ceiling.

7. Caleb Malhotra

• Position: C
• Current team: Brantford (OHL)
• Measurables: 6'1", 182 pounds

Malhotra has continued to grow playing for Brantford. He had yet another multi-point week, notching four points (three goals and an assist) in Games 1 through 3 against North Bay.

The OHL Rookie of the Week has risen in my rankings. As a center, Malhotra is a more valuable commodity than a winger. Adding to his skill set is his father, Manny, a veteran of nearly 1,000 NHL games and the Calder Cup Champion coach of the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks.

8. Tynan Lawrence

• Position: C
• Current team: Boston Univ. (NCAA)
• Measurables: 6'0", 185 pounds

Lawrence reminds me a lot of James Hagens. They play similar styles. Another link between the two players is their draft projection. If Hagens had gone to the junior ranks rather than Boston College after his two seasons with the NTDP, he would have been a top-five overall selection. However, both players chose to push themselves to the limit, which will ultimately work in their respective favor in the long run.

MORE: 2026 NHL Draft: Mathis Preston, Tynan Lawrence And Others Can Revive Draft Stock At World U-18s

9. Daxon Rudolph

• Position: D
• Current team: Prince Albert (WHL)
• Measurables: 6'2", 202 pounds

Rudolph has been invaluable for Prince Albert as they continue their quest for a WHL Championship. He earned four more assists in two playoff contests for the Raiders, with Game 3 tonight. One more helper will tie Rudolph for second place in the playoffs.  Quality right-shot defensemen are harder to find than their opposite counterparts. The fact that Rudolph is getting the job done better than Carels, especially as a righty, gives him the slight edge between the two players.

10. Carson Carels

• Position: D
• Current team: Prince George (WHL)
• Measurables: 6'1", 175 pounds

Prince George is up 2-0 in their series against the Penticton Vees. While Carels only garnered one assist in the pair of games, that is to be expected, going up against Penticton, who were outstanding during the regular season.

Still, Carels adapted, focusing more on the defensive side of his game against an offensive-minded Vees squad. This has paid off with Prince George, who has allowed only three goals in those two outings. The Cougars have an opportunity to take a commanding three-game lead tonight. I expect Carels’ solid play to continue.

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