The 2026 NHL Draft features top prospects like Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Keaton Verhoeff. Teams will have the chance to select these promising talents in late June.
Key points
2026 NHL Draft features top prospects
Gavin McKenna is a consensus No. 1 prospect
Ivar Stenberg had a strong season in the SHL
Keaton Verhoeff brings size to the defenseman position
Draft lottery is scheduled for Tuesday night
Gavin McKennaIvar StenbergKeaton VerhoeffPenn State Nittany Lions
Gavin McKenna IMAGN 032426
*Meet the 10 best prospects to know in 2026 NHL Draft, from Gavin McKenna to Keaton Verhoeff originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The next wave of hockey talent is on its way.
With the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery being held on Tuesday night, and the draft itself arriving in late June, teams will soon have the opportunity to add some of the best amateurs from the college and international ranks.
While there appears to be a clear consensus No. 1 prospect in this year's class coming out of the Big Ten, there are plenty more potential NHL stars to know.
Here's a look at the 10 best prospects to know in the 2026 NHL Draft.
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Best prospects in 2026 NHL Draft
Gavin McKenna
1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
Entering last season, McKenna was viewed as the consensus top 2026 draft prospect. That has not changed.
The 18-year-old had an outstanding season at Penn State, becoming the Nittany Lions' first freshman with at least 50 points in a season, totaling 15 goals and 36 assists. McKenna also finished second in scoring at the World Juniors with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) for Canada in seven games.
The only slight against McKenna has been his size at 170 pounds. But he's viewed as a dynamic playmaker, a player who can instantly boost an NHL offense when he has the puck. He only got better throughout his time at Penn State, showcasing his upside.
Q&A
Who are the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft?
The top prospects include Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Keaton Verhoeff, among others.
What are Gavin McKenna's achievements leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft?
Gavin McKenna had 50 points in his freshman season at Penn State and finished second in scoring at the World Juniors with 14 points.
How did Ivar Stenberg perform in the SHL and World Juniors?
Ivar Stenberg scored 33 points in the SHL and helped Sweden win gold at the World Juniors with 10 points.
What makes Keaton Verhoeff a standout defenseman for the 2026 NHL Draft?
Keaton Verhoeff is notable for his size at 6-4 and 212 pounds, and he recorded 20 points in 36 games at North Dakota.
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Stenberg, this past season, had 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in the SHL, which was the fifth-most ever by an 18-year-old. Like McKenna, Stenberg is an elite offensive decision maker, able to create for himself or others.
At World Juniors, Stenberg helped lead Sweden to gold with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games, including three points in the title game.
Stenberg, the younger brother of St. Louis Blues first-rounder Otto Stenberg, is also comfortable playing both wings; between his versatility and track record at multiple levels, he's been viewed as a consensus top-two player in the class.
Ivar Stenberg picks the corner for his first goal and third point in his men's national team debut 🔥
At 6-4 and 212 pounds, Verhoeff is bringing plenty of size to the NHL after impressing at North Dakota.
He had 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 36 games, which was the fourth-most by a 17-year-old defenseman in NCAA history. At World Juniors for Canada, Verhoeff finished with four assists in five games.
There is no clear top defenseman in the 2026 NHL draft because the top of the class is so stacked. If you are in need of a defenseman this is the class to be in the top 10
Reid is a Michigan State commit, set to join the Spartans next season. He's considered an outstanding skater at 6-2 and 195 pounds.
In the Ontario Hockey League last season, Reid posted 18 goals — fifth among all defensemen in the league — and a total of 45 points over 45 games. Reid also stepped up in Cole Hutson's absence for the United States at World Juniors.
5. Caleb Malhotra, C, OHL
Arguably the best center available in this year's draft is Malhotra, a 17-year-old coming out of the OHL. He is committed to playing at Boston University in 2026-27.
The son of former NHL 15-year veteran Manny Malhotra, the center finished second among all OHL rookies last season with his 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists) over 67 games. Malhotra's all-around skillset should transition well to the NHL.
Carels (6-2, 198 pounds) is another fluid skater with two-way talent in this year's draft. The 17-year-old showed out in the WHL last season, ranking fourth among all defensemen with 73 points (20 goals, 52 assists) in 58 games.
Carels was also Canada's youngest player at the World Juniors, posting one assist in five games.
Please enjoy this Carson Carels highlight compilation 🤩 #NHLDraft
Already proven against a top level of competition, Smits competed for Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics. He was the youngest player in the entire tournament at 18 years old.
The 6-3, 205-pound defenseman left Latvia to play in Finland at 13 years old. Last season, in Finland's top professional men's league, Smits totaled 13 points (six goals, seven assists) and in 38 games for Jukurit. He also had six points (two goals, four assists) in 10 playoff games on loan with Munchen in Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Germany's top league.
Potential Top 5 pick Alberts Smits is a 6'3" two-way defenseman that hits hard, has a heavy shot, wins 55% of his board battles, and has good hands.
He plays over 20 minutes a night playing in Liiga and now Del a pro league in Germany. 1:20 min on the PP and 1:34 min on PK. He… pic.twitter.com/R1CHVcn4zT
Even at 5-9 and 177 pounds, Bjorck put up 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 42 SHL games last year. He's proved himself against older and larger competition with a high-end offensive skill set.
At World Juniors with Sweden, he helped guide the team to gold as a second-line center, posting nine points (three goals, six assists). Bjorck's passing skills have been praised as a likely top-10 selection.
9. Daxon Rudolph, RD, WHL
Another talented defenseman in this year's class is Rudolph, a 6-2, 206-pound young weapon who has shown the IQ and skill to succeed in the NHL.
As an 18-year-old in the WHL last season, Rudolph ranked third among all defensemen with 78 points (28 goals, 50 assists) in 68 games.
Daxon Rudolph is leading the WHL playoffs in scoring… and did this shorthanded tonight
Lawrence didn't join Boston University until Jan. 6, but still posted seven points (two goals, five assists) in 18 games. He opened the season for Muskegon in the United States Hockey League, where he totaled 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 13 games.
At 17 years old, Lawrence has shown a strong work ethic on both ends, including physicality at the NCAA level.
