Josh Tessler, Alexander Appleyard, Gray Matter, Matthew Somma, Nathan Hutchinson, SpokedZ, Chris Ford, Austin Garret, Iván Ortiz, Thomas Gagné, Tom Watson and Dan Haurin combined their draft rankings and put together the official Smaht Scouting 2026 NHL Draft Preliminary Rankings, a comprehensive early look at the top prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. The rankings reflect months of collaborative scouting, video analysis, and discussion across Smaht Scouting’s North American and international scouting teams.
#1 – Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State University
Gavin McKenna takes the top spot on our preliminary ranking — and for good reason. His pure skill, vision, and spatial manipulation separate him from the rest of the class. McKenna’s ability to create offense is elite; he anticipates openings before they form, uses subtle fakes to draw defenders out of position, and can thread pucks through impossibly tight seams. His edgework and hands are among the best in this age group, allowing him to escape pressure and reset plays effortlessly. When he’s in rhythm, he dictates pace and flow, functioning as both a primary play-driver and a deceptive passer who can draw multiple defenders before slipping the puck into a high-danger lane.
That said, McKenna’s compete level and defensive engagement continue to be areas to monitor. There are shifts where his energy trails off once play turns the other way, relying more on positioning than pursuit. Even so, when he’s on, few can match his creativity and ability to control a game. McKenna remains the most dynamic and projectable talent in this early look — a player whose offensive instincts and skill toolkit give him legitimate top-of-the-class potential. (Josh Tessler)
#2 – Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda
It is difficult to imagine Ivar Stenberg putting together a much more impressive draft eligible season than the one he’s put together up to this point. Through 17 games in the SHL, Stenberg’s 0.71 PPG pace is 3rd all time amongst draft eligible players behind only Daniel Sedin and Peter Forsberg. Further to that point: if Stenberg possessed elite tools and were merely finishing high danger plays at a high if not lucky rate, the production might not be as noteworthy and impressive to us, but that isn’t really the case at all. Stenberg is an incredibly cerebral player who creates the majority of his offense through consistently winning puck battles in the offensive zone and threading beautiful passes to teammates in dangerous areas. His game on the cycle is already saturated with NHL habits, regularly getting his body in front of opposition’s sticks, setting moving picks for teammates, making quick cuts to the interior from the wall and providing deception as to what his next move will be as the puck carrier. Outside of his offensive game, Stenberg doesn’t sacrifice any effort or attention to detail in his defensive and transition game. He’s consistently been one of the most competitive forwards I’ve watched in this class defensively, always being one of the first players back on the backcheck and actively scanning to take away the most dangerous lanes from the opposition. He approaches players in the defensive zone with a dog-on-bone mentality, applying intense pressure leading to turnover and transition opportunities for his team.
Truthfully, I could sit here all day listing off everything Stenberg does well, but at the end it’d probably more closely resemble a Wiki page going over the entire sport of ice hockey. Although he might lack the pure creativity and some of the elite puck skills possessed by McKenna, he’s the most complete forward in this class, and we’re of the opinion at Smaht that he is a real threat to go first overall come June. (Dan Haurin)
#3 – Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, University of North Dakota
Keaton Verhoeff comes in at third in our 2026 NHL Draft preliminary rankings, and it’s probably fair to assume that he will be in the first overall discussion all year long. Verhoeff possesses almost every quality needed to become a future top pair NHL defenseman and potentially a true number-one. He’s an intelligent 6’4” RHD who is a clever puck mover and can be relied upon heavily at both ends of the ice.
Defensively, Verhoeff has a good stick and closes on opponents fast. He has the range to deny space and uses his size to engage physically, creating turnovers and winning pucks back. He generally makes solid reads, intercepting passes and breaking up plays before quickly moving the puck up ice to teammates to spring the attack. Verhoeff shows poise under pressure, making lots of retrievals and little plays that enable him to move the puck out of the defensive zone quickly and efficiently.
Verhoeff has tremendous offensive upside. He has good vision and can initiate the rush with his feet or make plays to advance the puck to teammates quickly. He’s comfortable with the puck under pressure, walking the line with confidence and orchestrating play from the offensive blueline. He has an NHL caliber shot that can beat goaltenders from distance and a booming one-timer. Constantly in motion, he can attack down the wall with the puck and swing around the offensive zone making plays and finding teammates out front.
Verhoeff’s physical profile combined with his work ethic, poise, and intelligence make for an incredibly exciting prospect with endless upside and potential. If he can refine his skating and be more consistent in his reads, it’s hard to imagine him not becoming a future number one NHL defenseman. (SpokedZ)
#4 – Mathis Preston, F, Spokane
We’re bullish here at Smaht on the Spokane Chiefs forward and we think he’s got a ton of potential to be a successful hockey player.
After a hot start, his production has slowed down a bit, but I believe he’s got the brains, creativity and physical tools to play himself into consideration of a top 5 draft pick.
At his best, my favourite part of his game is his ability to make decisions ahead of the play, and once the puck is on his stick, it’s off again to his teammate, often without requiring him to make a show of scanning the ice. Defensive reads against him are all the more difficult for opposing teams. His ability to read the play and execute is really exciting.
When things aren’t quite working however, there can be a lack of creativity when it comes to generating chances or finishing them off. He’s not the type of player to create something out of nothing, even if he’s threading passes or making space with give-and-go’s.
He’s not that tall, but he’s sturdy, and a strong skater and has enough skill and shooting ability to make him a premier prospect, and he’s reliable defensively. With his passing ability and decision making, I think he has the tools to remain high on our rankings all year. (Tom Watson)
#5 – Tynan Lawrence, C, Muskegon
Tynan Lawrence, another favorite of ours here at Smaht Scouting, currently projects as the top center in the 2026 draft class. He had quite an impressive D-1 year in the USHL last season, winning the Clark Cup with Muskegon and being named playoff MVP. A strong sophomore season could see climb into our top 5 and potentially higher.
Lawrence is a skilled, relentless two-way center who can just about do it all. He’s constantly in motion, effortlessly covering both ends of the ice with excellent skating and a nonstop motor. He plays with pace and makes tons of plays off the rush and inside the offensive zone. One of the few centers at the top of this draft class comfortable in middle ice, Lawrence protects the puck well and can drive the net. He’s a detailed and intelligent center with great instincts and supports teammates well. Lawrence is committed to playing defense, working off puck and tracking back to kill odd man rushes and disrupting opponents in transition. He makes lots of timely stick checks to turn pucks over and lead rushes the other way.
Tynan Lawrence is just a super well-rounded hockey player. While his hard skill/puckhandling isn’t necessarily the most dynamic, he boasts tons of pro attributes with great instincts and the ability to drive play as a center. If he can experiment a bit more offensively and show some more creativity in his attacks, he will continue to rise up our rankings. (SpokedZ)
#6 – Xavier Villeneuve, LHD, Blainville-Boisbriand
Xavier Villeneuve is another one of those smaller very skilled and offensive-leaning players in the mold of the Hutson brothers or a Quinn Hughes. Currently leading the QMJHL in points and points per game among defenseman, it’s clear that Villeneuve operates on a different level than his peers. Endlessly dynamic, constantly looking for openings in the offensive zone, Villeneuve’s level of skill, anticipation and his ability to make his teammates better is astounding for his age at this level. There’s an argument to be made that he’s already a bit too good for this league at least offensively. The knocks against him will be levied against his defensive game, but there’s an argument to be made that he’s better than both Hutson brothers were at the same age. His stick is very active, he angles attackers well off the rush and if he can simplify his game in some spots, stop trying low-percentage plays and taking on too much risk for limited gains, his upside could be tremendous, as I find most of his bad defensive sequences come from those self-induced situations. Villeneuve is far and away the best defensive prospect to come from the QMJHL in recent years. (Thomas Gagné)
#7 – Viggo Björck, C/W, Djurgården
There will always be some doubts about how a player under six feet tall can adapt to the NHL, even in today’s more creative game over physicality. However, in Björck’s case, those doubts should quickly fade. He’s a complete, intelligent player already managing the physical demands of professional hockey. Björck plays with nonstop energy and awareness, constantly scanning the ice and staying engaged in all three zones. His goal against Luleå in SHL is a good example of those skills, as he tied the game after intercepting a puck at the blue line with an excellent reading and accelerating up ice to finish confidently, showcasing the explosive skating and offensive skill that set him apart. And against Brynäs, he forces the turnover with intense forechecking and then moves intelligently behind the defense. He transitions play quickly, attacks with pace and control, is a good finisher from the circles in power-play situationans and has the hands to sustain possession and create scoring chances. Such a complete package with proven offensive production, high-tier understanding of the game and engagement at multiple levels deserves to be near the top of many teams draft lists, especially for those willing to look past traditional concerns about size, as he’s already shown he can handle the physical demands of the competition and his on-ice IQ is excellent. (Iván Ortiz)
#8 – Ryan Lin, RHD, Vancouver
It was difficult to separate Ryan Lin and Chase Reid in our early evaluations, but Lin ultimately lands higher on our preliminary board thanks to slightly stronger footwork and more refined puck control under pressure. His skating base and edgework give him the ability to recover quickly and maintain tight gaps, while his widened stance and active stick allow him to close space efficiently through the neutral zone. Lin reads attacking routes well, consistently forcing dump-ins and keeping play to the perimeter. In-zone, he’s calm and calculated — using shoulder checks, quick pivots, and smart board usage to exit cleanly and relieve pressure.
Offensively, Lin makes composed plays at the blue line and shows good judgment on when to activate down the wall to extend cycles. He handles forecheck pressure with poise, protecting the puck and finding safe, accurate outlets even when contact is imminent. There’s still room for more burst in his stride and quicker recovery after extending defensively, but Lin’s balance, timing, and control make him one of the more reliable and polished defenders in this class. (Josh Tessler)
#9 – Chase Reid, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie
Chase Reid has been one of my favorites to watch to start the year. He’s a smart, offensive defensemen who activates from the blueline in an aggressive yet calculated manner. He has four-way mobility at the blueline and has the puck skill to be able to manipulate past defenders and into space. He doesn’t shoot pucks into shins from the point and finds players down low or chips the puck below the goalline to keep possession and drive chain-linked plays. His biggest hinderance is his mobility, specifically when it comes to backwards crossovers and pivots. He leans on his reach, stick checks, and physicality to defend rushes, and puck watches too much off-puck that he can lose a guy backdoor or in his blind spots. On the puck he’s very good at dictating where he wants defenders to go to drive them to non-threatening areas or to put them in a position to separate them from the puck. His data shows a player who has a ton of potential with his shot rates and passing, but needs to get better under pressure. Reid is a player who has a lot of raw potential, and if the execution ends up catching up with his skill, he may be a PP1 QB with top pair upside. (Austin Garret)
#10 – Alberts Smits, LHD, Jukurit
The Latvian blue-liner has gone somewhat under the radar over the course of the last few years and has only just started to get some first round attention from national level publications in the last month. 10 points in 19 games in Liiga while playing over 20 minutes a night is pretty hard to ignore. Last season was also extremely impressive, starting the year at 16 years old in the u-18 SM-Sarja he proved himself too good for that level, impressed at the u-20 level, and then finished the season in Liiga before showing well at the u-18 WJC. With a 6’3 frame, super-soft hands and a smooth skating stride, that are complemented by a sky-high confidence level, Smits has the raw tools to be a first pairing NHL defenseman. He also has a big shot, is physical, and can make some beautiful passes. However, he needs to chase play less and improve his reads at his own blue-line to reach his ceiling. But already thriving against men in a top five league on earth? And likely on his way to the Olympics for Latvia? Smits will be a name every NHL fan will be aware of in a few months. (Alex Appleyard)
#11 – J.P. Hurlbert, F, Kamloops
I just finished the first game of Hurlbert for my qualitative scouting and there was the same note that I had for his tracked game: on his best shifts he looks like a sure-fire top 5 player. The qualifier of that note is what scares me. His best shifts include puck skill and play creation, being defensively engaged in his center role, and driving transition especially over the offensive blue line. However, he has a few shifts every game where he lazily chips the puck out of the defensive zone or blindly throws pucks to the front of the net. His game tracked included a 55% offensive transition involvement, 20% shot share, and 22% of his passes went to medium/high danger scoring areas. He is the engine of his line and his points aren’t a fluke. If he can pull it all together in a more consistent manner he could be a top 5 pick. (Austin Garret)
#12 – Juho Piiparinen, RHD, Tappara
A lack of historical and draft year production has caused Piiparinen to seem to largely go under the radar in a lot of public scouting sphere’s but when breaking down the finer details of his game the picture of a very impressive defense prospect starts to take place. Piiparinen is incredibly young for the 2026 class, being only a month away from being 2027 eligible, yet despite his age has spent the entire season making an impact against fully grown men in Liiga. The big right shooting defenseman boasts a litany of impressive attributes that you’d hope for in a top prospect. He’s a fast straight line skater with high-end edge work, using his feet to regularly gain separation from the opposition all over the ice. Despite not having scored a goal up to this point in his Liiga season, he boasts a big shot and smooth hands, giving him some runway to help flesh out his offensive game more over time. Most notable in my viewings of Piiparinen up this point however have been who exceptional a lot of the minor details in his game have been. He goes into every puck battle seemingly with 2 or 3 steps planned ahead, constantly securing the puck away from the opposition, using his body to gain advantage, and turning situations that a lot of young players would tread water during into clean possession for his team. He’s also quite aggressive and cerebral with his ability to attack the opposition while they have possession, cutting off skating lanes in the neutral zone and stepping in to keep pucks in the offensive zone quickly. The package hasn’t fully came together yet here, but the combination of tools, hockey IQ, and development runway give Piiparinen a real chance to develop into an all-situations top of the lineup defenseman. (Dan Haurin)
#13 – Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor
Ethan Belchetz is a player I didn’t expect to like as much as I have to begin the 2025 NHL draft year. Last year his lack of pace, awkward skating mechanics, and inconsistent playmaking had me question the hype that was surrounding him. To start this year he’s one of the better shot generators in North America averaging 6 shot attempts at even strength a game, his passing has improved but isn’t fantastic at a 66% completion percentage, and is driving more on his stick in transition as well. His skating has improved and it is directly impacting his transition and passing numbers in a positive manner. If he can continue to create plays and drive more of his passing to the inside he can climb the rankings even higher. (Austin Garret)
#14 – Yegor Shilov, C, Victoriaville
Shilov is a cerebral, pass-first forward whose game revolves around composure, awareness, and controlled pace. He thrives on finding solutions under pressure, showing quick redistributions and intelligent use of space to keep plays alive through the neutral and offensive zones. His puckhandling and edge work let him weave through traffic and manage tight gaps effectively, using subtle delays to draw coverage before slipping pucks to open teammates.
What stands out most is his consistency as a possession driver. Shilov regularly turns defensive retrievals into clean exits and counterattacks through precise stretch passes and timely outlets. He manipulates tempo to create lanes for others and is comfortable operating as the connective piece between zones. His reads are decisive — he understands when to extend possession, when to offload, and when to attack space himself.
Though not overtly physical, Shilov competes with intent. He’s puck-hungry, winning battles with body positioning, stick leverage, and quick decision-making rather than brute strength. In the defensive zone, he ties up opponents in dangerous areas, supports low to assist retrievals, and transitions play smoothly up ice. Offensively, he demonstrates strong situational awareness and an ability to anticipate second-chance opportunities around the net.
Overall, Shilov projects as a poised, cerebral playmaker who controls flow and maintains structure in all three zones. With continued strength development and more assertiveness as a shooter, he has the foundation to become an effective top-six facilitator capable of driving possession and dictating pace at higher levels. (Josh Tessler)
#15 – Nikita Klepov, F, Saginaw
Klyopov is just so effective at playing his game. He finds space in the scoring areas off the puck and is able to use his size and hands to get by defenders to find teammates as well. He’s not going to wow you with his skating ability, but he plays at a pace that is effective for him and doesn’t hinder his game when projecting to higher levels of hockey.
He leads the dataset in shot volume and dangerous shot volume at even strength, completed 84% of his passes with 16% going to dangerous areas of the ice, and was involved in 40% of his team’s transitions with a 79% efficiency. His skating/pace isn’t going to wow you, but his offensive instincts and ability to make plays justify his draft ranking. (Austin Garret)
#16 – Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara
Ryan Roobroeck has had a disappointing start to the season. He’s been passive in the defensive zone, his pace is low, and he isn’t driving play on his stick in the offensive zone. He’s a high volume shooter, and is very good at moving into space to get his shot off. He shoots more than 50% of his shots from outside of scoring areas though. He’s involved as a puck receiver in transition but is ineffective at carrying the puck over the blue line with the puck on his stick with his low pace. He projects as a passenger in the top 9 who can put the puck in the net but will need other players drive transition for him. (Austin Garret)
#17 – Landon Hafele, F, Green Bay
Landon Hafele understands the center position extremely well, especially compared to a typical player from this age group. He reloads low, always makes himself an option for his defensemen on breakouts and plays with the requisite speed, motor and physical intensity to establish himself as a factor in every game he plays, regardless of if his offensive game is there on that day. The floor is thus rather high with Hafele, especially if you consider his skating which should translate rather easily at an above average level in the NHL. The creativity in the offensive zone and his reads when the puck is on his stick aren’t always the best, but the skill level at his high pace of play is already rather high. A high-intensity, very likeable middle-six player is a very real possibility with Hafele, with a possibility for more if the offensive zone play and scoring ability improves in the coming years. (Thomas Gagné)
#18 – Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown
Jack Hextall really established himself as a serious first-round option during this year’s Hlinka-Gretzky tournament, where he was by and large the best player on the American team. The intelligence is really what could become his special skill at the NHL level. Hextall scans the ice extremely well both with and without the puck on his stick, always positions himself in dangerous position and while he’s maybe not the most fleet of foot, Hextall plays fluidly at a very high, very projectable pace. I think the complete picture of what he could eventually become is a bit blurry, as he’s not the most dominant or most impactful player yet at the USHL level, but with the way he’s wired, the upside is tremendous. The software to become a high-end NHL player is there, but the hardware still needs development. With some more filling out and improved quickness, he could become a playmaking staple on an NHL team’s top 6. (Thomas Gagné)
#19 – Elton Hermansson, RW/LW, Örebro
Hermansson got a lot of eyes on him when he lit it up at the Hlinka, finishing second in tournament scoring, and earning himself a silver medal as a key part of a great Swedish team. While his goal-scoring was the focal point of discussion at the Hlinka, watching his play against men in HockeyAllsvenskan, I’ve been so impressed with how he’s adapted his game, and how complete and refined he looks at that level.
Quick thinking under pressure, using good small area skill and smart quick passes to navigate the more intense pressure of the pro level; that’s what I want to see out of young players when it comes to adapting to higher levels of play, and it comes naturally to him. I think the playmaking potential with him may go under the radar, but still, the goal-scoring remains his biggest offensive threat: he does a great job off-puck of floating into scoring areas and being a consistent option, and he can certainly rip a puck once it comes to him. He forechecks well, and he’s not physically matured yet, but he already uses his physicality in smart ways that will become more and more effective as he gets stronger.
The details are really strong with Hermansson, and if he can gain some strength and a bit more speed and power in his skating, I think it could elevate him to another level. (Gray Matter)
#20 – Daxon Rudolph, RHD, Prince Albert
The Prince Albert Defender plays a two-way game and will see a ton of ice-time in the WHL this year. He’s averaging 23 minutes a night and used in all situations, so he’ll have every opportunity to showcase his talents this year.
But so far, I think it’s a fair assessment to keep him out of the top 15. He can be physical, he can flash some skill, and he can handle a lot, whether it’s pressure in his own zone, or pucks to rip on net from the blue line, but outside of this I also feel like there’s room for more tools to his belt that would push him up our ranking.
Better use of his stick defensively would help, for instance, using carefully timed poke checks to break up rushes and send his team the other way. As well as this, at his height of 6’2”, there’s times where he doesn’t look to be dominate when defending in his zone. You’d like to see him be more on top of his man, to prevent chances again.
That said, there’s plenty of time left this year and Rudolph has size, good skating and talent, it’s just a case of him doing what he can to force himself ahead of the pack. (Tom Watson)
#21 – Casey Mutryn, F, USNTDP
Casey Mutryn’s meagre production level to this point of the season doesn’t really track with the tape we’ve watched of him. A fantastic checking forward for the level with a pretty great release, Mutryn is very easy to project to an NHL lineup. The checking skills in particular is what stands out with him. He’s punishing on the forecheck without taking himself out of the play, very functional in that sense and seems to always initiate and extend offensive zone time. Much like a player like Shane Vansaghi last year, who we were rather high on, it’s hard to imagine him not at least getting to the NHL. The B game will always be there with Mutryn and while he may never be a great creator of his own scoring chances, with the way he can position himself off the puck and really shoot it, we believe there’s more upside there than the production suggests especially if we also consider how inside-driven he also is. (Thomas Gagné)
#22 – Julien Maze, F, Regina
Despite being listed at 5’8, his size has not limited his ability to generate scoring chances on the inside and he is the engine of his line on Regina. Play always flows through him and he is nearly impossible to separate from the puck in the neutral zone. Combining great lateral agility and north/south speed he is able to create space and rush lanes for himself. He can play in small areas with his skill and maneuver pucks around and through defenders, and is extremely productive at even strength. He’s sending 26% of his passes to dangerous areas of the ice, completing 79% of them, involved in 55% of his teams offensive transitions at a remarkable 92% success rate. If Maze is able to keep these statistics at even 90% of what they are now, and keep his production profile at an 85+ point pace, I don’t see how he isn’t a first round pick in the NHL draft and a player that I’ll continue to pound the table for to be in the lottery. (Austin Garret)
#23 – Adam Novotný, LW/RW, Peterborough
Adam Novotný will be one of the more intriguing players in this draft class to monitor as the season continues on. He’s a hardworking, energetic forward who skates well and plays an intelligent and reliable two-way game. He has a pro frame and strong physical tools which have allowed him to already play a full season of professional hockey in Czechia before his draft year. He’s strong on his skates and plays with confidence, constantly pushing the pace and making plays through contact. He’s a highly skilled player who can combine his skill and strength to drive the net and make plays for himself, but also works well with his linemates in the offensive zone. Committed to both sides of the puck, Novotný is a super competitor and works hard to track back and break up lots of plays as well. There’s a lot to like about Novotný’s combination of tools, and he probably projects as one of the highest floor players in this class. How high he’s selected will likely depend on how much high-end offensive skill and play creation he can show in the OHL this season. (SpokedZ)
#24 – Malte Gustafsson, LHD, HV71
Gustafsson’s combination of size, height, mobility, and defensive awareness makes him one of the most intriguing defenseman out of this class. What stands out most for me is his ability to defend with his stick with reach and timing, a skill that needs to be highly developed in the NHL where young defensemen often try to steal the puck and get beaten easily and it’s probably the main reason why I’m aware that I value it above other public lists or current public opinion. He uses his size effectively and shows excellent timing when disrupting plays, while also using his body to seal off opponents, block shots, and clear the inner slot efficiently. A smooth skater, he tracks back well and stays composed when moving the puck from the blue line, protecting possession with his frame and making responsible decisions. He also has a good ability to lead the initial rush from the back end, staying calm under forecheck pressure and making smart decisions both facing and with his back to pressure. Although he doesn’t yet produce many eye-catching offensive plays, improving his shot accuracy and adding a bit more height to his shot could help him become more of a two-way threat. Still, his strong defensive fundamentals, instincts and poise at a young age are highly promising. HV71 is already giving him opportunities in the SHL, so it could be a good starting point to see if he can transfer those defensive details we mentioned to a more intense context. But simply this mix of size, Swedish skating school, defensive concepts, and maturity in his game should be very promising for teams when considering the final product he could become. (Iván Ortiz)
#25 – Carson Carels, LHD, Prince Albert
Carson Carels is a 6’2” left-shot defenseman who is coming off an incredibly impressive D-1 campaign in the WHL last year. He played on Prince George’s top pair (24 minutes per game) against top competition night in, night out and did not look out of place. This season, he’s up to 28 minutes per game. He drives play from the back end at even strength with his clever passing ability and is a go-to player on both the powerplay and penalty kill. Carels is a smart, all-situations defender who brings intensity and physicality every night. He positions well, identifies looming threats, and denies lanes with his stick. He’s a great rush defender, snuffing out and eliminating attacks with early closes and pokes and angles to force dump-ins. Offensively, he doesn’t necessarily flash the most dynamic playmaking ability. That being said, he’s very effective carrying and moving pucks up ice, walks the blue line well, and has a big and powerful one-timer. Carels has all the tools necessary to become a future top four NHL defenseman, and continuing to develop his offensive skillset could see him rise up our rankings. (SpokedZ)
#26 – Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgården
Marcus Nordmark’s name has become a bit lost in the mix in this draft classes first round. The main reason is arguably that he is still plying his trade at the junior level when a host of other top Euro picks are showing their wares against men. Furthermore, it is true that despite the gaudy point totals at every level he has played, when you watch Nordmark you can be left slightly disappointed by what “could” be. The tools he possesses are elite or close. His release is fantastic. He has incredible technical passing ability. He also thinks the game two steps ahead of most of his peers. However, he plays at a slower pace than you would like to see, he can spend too much time on the perimeter, and is often more of a “complimentary” player on his line. Additionally, while his skating and defensive game are not bad, they will both need to improve. Frankly, to increase his stock he likely needs a loan to HockeyAllsvenskan. He is too good for the J20 level and will not improve much more there, as he can afford to constantly slow play down and still dominate. Right now he probably projects as a complimentary middle six winger at the NHL level, but if he can iron out the kinks in his game there is a chance he could one day end up a 60+ point second line winger. (Alex Appleyard)
#27 – Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford
Caleb Malhotra lands at No. 27 on our preliminary ranking thanks to his well-rounded, detail-driven game and strong spatial awareness. He consistently supports play in all three zones, positioning himself smartly to recover loose pucks and provide outlets for his defensemen. Malhotra’s forechecking reads stand out — he anticipates pressure well, slipping behind the net to create turnovers and quickly transitioning those into interior passing chances. He shows composure in tight quarters, executing passes through traffic and displaying a knack for generating medium-danger looks.
Away from the puck, Malhotra’s defensive posture and reach make him quietly effective. He angles attackers off the wall, closes lanes in the neutral zone, and leans on his frame to make puck retrievals difficult for opponents. The next step for him will be adding more pace and assertiveness — driving harder off the rush and applying more pressure in pursuit. Even without dynamic speed, Malhotra’s hockey sense, positioning, and consistent compete level give him the foundation of a reliable, possession-first center who projects well as a middle-six presence. (Josh Tessler)
#28 – Vertti Svensk, LHD, SaiPa
Svensk has been one of my favourites to watch early in this season, and I’m not sure why he’s gone so under the radar to the point that I have yet to hear of him as a prospect—other than being given a W rating by NHL Central Scouting—but I can only imagine that that will change as the season progresses. It didn’t take long for him to jump into my top 10, and he has yet to leave it.
Upon watching Svensk, it is apparent that he is an elite skater, and I don’t say that lightly; he is one of the best movers in this class, if not the best. The offensive instincts are certainly there as well, and his skating allows him to utilise it, to jump into the play or pinch deep into the offensive zone to make a play, and retreat into defensive position in a flash, as though it never even happened. It also allows him to be a monster in transition, especially once you factor in some really strong passing ability. He can be a little overly ambitious with his passes on breakouts at times, and defensively he’s certainly not perfect, but when a guy can move like he can, and move the puck like he can, I’m not too worried about some defensive mistakes here and there. He’s been playing very well in Liiga as it stands, and he’s impressed me a ton. (Gray Matter)
#29 – Nikita Shcherbakov, LHD, Ufa
Shcherbakov is already a refined defensive player. He’s been playing pro hockey all season, splitting time between the KHL and VHL, and he’s looked great at both levels. High-end play killer, great skater, and a super effective rush defender, maintaining strong body positioning and a good defensive stick in defensive transitions and in the defensive zone.
I don’t see a big offensive contributor here currently, but he does have some skill, and enough to be a good puck mover. He makes good crisp passes on breakouts, and shows flashes of impressive offensive timing in terms of activating from the blue line or on the rush, or delaying an extra moment to draw an opponent closer before sending the puck into the space he created.
All in all, I think there’s a really good player here, albeit probably not a high-scoring one. If you want a steady presence who can take on big responsibility, shut down the other team’s top lines, and make smart, efficient decisions to keep the play moving offensively, Shcherbakov could be your guy. (Gray Matter)
#30 – Tomas Chrenko, C, Nitra
It’s pretty easy to see the appeal in Chrenko’s game almost immediately upon watching him play. The Slovakian forward boasts some impressive puck skills and dynamic offensive flashes, putting up over 2 points per game in Slovakia’s U20 league last season and dominating on the international stage at every opportunity he’s been given. This year, he has more than held his own against men with HK Nitra, putting up 12 points in 17 games so far this season despite receiving limited minutes. Chrenko plays with a lot of pace in his game, constantly moving his feet and making quick decisions with the puck. His straight line skating speed is only pretty good for a player his size, but his ability to quickly shift direction on his edges is where his skating stands out. He’s got some pretty good pucks skills that he uses to challenge defenders 1-on-1, and has a quick release that he’s able to get a lot of power behind while skating in-motion. Although he’s predominately played Center this year and in the past, I do have some concerns that he’d be able to stick down the middle at the NHL level. He lacks some of the habits and small area skills that smaller forwards need to be able to compete down low (particularly in the defensive zone) and good but not great straight line speed might cause some limitations in his ability to carry the puck through the ice in transition at a frequent level. Still, the upside in clear in this player and could be an interesting option on draft day for a team looking to add some scoring to their lineup. (Dan Haurin)
#31 – Axel Elofsson, RHD, Örebro
5’10 offensive defensemen have certainly gone out of vogue in the last few seasons. If this was 2015? Axel Elofsson would be talked about as a potential top 20 pick. As it is, right now few are even talking about him as a first rounder. His offensive skill-set is amongst the best of any defenseman in this draft class, and his 1.36 P/GP at the J20 level reflects that. No first time draft eligible defenseman at the same level has ever produced over 1.25 P/GP before. Additionally, last season his 0.84 P/GP in J20 was up alongside what Rasmus Dahlin, Timothy Liljegren and Adam Boqvist did at the same age. On top of that? He recently set the all-time record at the Hlinka-Gretzky cup in terms of points from the blue-line, with 11 in five games equalling the mark Oleg Tverdovsky set in 1993. He is elite for his age on the power-play, showing deception and crisp passing. His release is also a plus for a blue-liner. Elofsson also has good hands that he uses well to manipulate both the puck and passing lanes. Skating-wise, while he has a smooth stride that is combined with top-tier agility, for his size he is not super explosive, and likely needs to improve there to get to the NHL. Defensively he reads plays quite well, and tries to engage physically, though naturally often loses such battles due to his size. At times he also makes some baffling decisions that he will need to clean up versus men. Elofsson has the tools and instincts to be a second pairing NHL defenseman who runs a power-play, but has a long way to go to get there. (Alex Appleyard)
#32 – Adam Valentini, F, University of Michigan
Adam Valentini is a player that I am not sure where to rank at the moment. I’m a diehard Michigan hockey fan, and he’s been fantastic to start the year playing alongside the likes of TJ Hughes and Nick Moldenhauer. Great analytical profile, but I’m not sure his skating is enough to overcome his size. I’m torn between is he a beneficiary of his linemates or is he fuel that makes the engine run? He is involved in over 43% of his line’s offensive transitions, averaging 4 shots a game at even strength, and is passing the puck at a decent volume with 14% of this passes going to the scoring areas. At the collegiate level this is impressive for a draft eligible player, and if he’s able to maintain the results against Big 10 competition he will rise up the board. (Austin Garret)
Honorable Mention – Noah Kosick, C, Swift Current
An honourable mention on our list goes to the German forward playing for Swift Current in the WHL. So far this season he’s producing very well at over a point per game, and has a few tools that make him one to watch as the season progresses.
He’s tall, fast and can play well along the boards, even becoming quite shifty and elusive for defenders in his games so far.
He’s a great passer, and has generated scoring chances by using his speed to draw defenders to him, and then skilfully threading passes to teammates in space.
That said, there’s times where he doesn’t always make the most effective choices and can run himself intro trouble. He’s pretty slight still and so he can’t power his way out of trouble and so he needs to make better use of the puck when he has it.
But an intriguing player for sure, and it’ll be encouraging if he can keep producing as the season goes along. (Tom Watson)
Honorable Mention – Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia
Edwards is a structured, two-way center who blends pace, poise, and intelligent reads. He’s zippy on the forecheck, darting side to side to pressure defenders and force turnovers, and crashes the net off-puck with speed to create second-chance looks. In transition, he shows confident stick-handling on the rush — presenting the puck to draw pressure before cutting wide with strong edge work to slip around defenders and generate a high-danger chance. When passing options close, he makes smart decisions by putting pucks on goal from the perimeter for potential tips or rebounds. Defensively, he maintains strong positioning and does well to force the attack to the boards, which allows him to quickly react to loose pucks and make controlled outlet passes up the zone. While his stick could be more consistently active in taking away lanes, his composure, mobility, and transition instincts form a well-rounded base for his game. (Josh Tessler)
Honorable Mention – Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa
Rogowski is more than just a power forward given his size as he possesses puck skill to drive transition and get the puck to the inside on his own stick. He’s an upper echelon shooter in terms of volume but needs to get to scoring areas more to get his shot off. He’s an efficient passer completing 77% of his passes overall and sending 19% of them dangerous areas of the ice. He posted a 50% offensive transition involvement rate at a 79% efficiency rate as well, showcasing that the data supports he’s more than just a passenger on a line. He has a good motor but lacks agility off the blocks with his skating, and could use his physical frame more often to drive separation of opponents from the puck. If he keeps up the microstats, I think he’s going to skyrocket up the rankings. (Austin Garret)
Honorable Mention – Oscar Hemming, F, Sherwood Park
Hemming is a forward who blends speed, balance, and awareness into a well-rounded two-way game. He’s quick off the line with strong front-end acceleration and uses his east–west agility to adjust his routes and attack with pace through the neutral zone. In transition, he shows poise and vision — threading passes underneath sticks for clean cross-ice feeds and flashing creativity by dangling the puck through his legs to get past defenders. On the forecheck, he maintains a widened stance to stay balanced and force hurried passes, using his body to knock opponents off the inside track to loose pucks. He’s smart about when to engage, often using his speed to be first to a loose puck after a battle and quickly moving it inside to a teammate. With possession, Hemming fends off defenders trying to box him out, relying on his strength and balance to protect the puck. In the offensive zone, he provides reliable bail-out options for teammates under pressure in the corners, showing strong awareness and support habits. Defensively, he maintains good widened positioning along the point, keeping play to the perimeter and reacting quickly to loose pucks. Originally slated to join the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, he’s now on Sherwood Park’s BCHL roster but has yet to appear in a game. (Josh Tessler)
Honorable Mention – William Håkansson, LHD, Luleå
Håkansson is already established in Luleå’s defensive rotation in the SHL, making him a player who regularly competes in a professional competition. He’s a more classic-style defenseman, showing good mobility for his size, solid skating, and a reliable but direct first pass out of his own zone. He has the tools to secure possession behind his own net, executing safe exits while sealing off opponents or using his body effectively, though without being overly aggressive. He closes gaps well, positions himself effectively against attackers, and reads offensive spacing intelligently. He can play with physicality, though he could still add more consistency in that area and improve his decision-making when attacking puck recoveries in dangerous places. He’s not a player who will fill the stat sheet, and I think his overall evaluation might be slightly affected by that lower point production, especially in an era where we place a lot of emphasis on offensive output even from defensemen but his consistency in the SHL and his solid performance are making him increasingly viewed in a more positive light.. Luleå U20 also uses Håkansson in PP situations, where he shows patience and a dangerous shot, but he still needs to improve effectiveness (36% SOG). But his steadiness and maturity in his game are also valuable traits at such a young age and competing against and alongside seasoned professionals. (Iván Ortiz)
Honorable Mention – Viktor Fyodorov, C, Nizhny Novgorod
Fyodorov is going through what’s become typical for many young Russian players, a season spent moving between three different leagues. While that experience gives him valuable ice time at various levels, it doesn’t allow for much chemistry to develop. Last season, he didn’t have the statistical breakout many were expecting, which slightly lowered his draft stock, but his KHL debut offered encouraging signs. Although his puck touches were limited, he showed good speed, strong effort on the forecheck, solid engagement in his role, and a reliable motor. In just his second KHL game, he recorded his first primary assist despite limited ice time. Fyodorov moves intelligently within the offensive zone, shows good hands, and once he breaks through that offensive production barrier, a more complete version of his game should emerge. It will be important to pay close attention to his offensive side, as in his recent games his shot attempts have been low-percentage ones, either going to the center of the offensive zone through stickhandling or simply aiming for a rebound, and I want to see if this struggle to produce points might lead him to rush his offensive decisions or he can adapt his game. He may not be viewed as highly as before, but he remains a well-rounded player with offensive potential and an eagerness to stay involved in the play. (Iván Ortiz)
Honorable Mention – Lavr Gashilov, C, Yekaterinburg
Gashilov brings a noticeable physical edge and assertiveness, engaging effectively on the forecheck and in puck battles. His offensive positioning is sound, and he shows good vision when threading passes into the slot or executing quick give-and-go plays to slip into backdoor shooting lanes. Around the net, he demonstrates composure in traffic and can finish through congestion on the power play. However, his pace remains inconsistent — he often plays at a low tempo, relying on short strides that limit his ability to separate or recover defensively. While he’ll occasionally use a full stride to get into position and take away shooting lanes, that effort appears sporadically. When driving the rush, he leans heavily on crossovers, a habit that works at the MHL level but could falter against faster, tighter defensive pressure. His shot mechanics also need refinement — limited weight transfer, inconsistent follow-through, and a blade that tends to point off target reduce his shooting threat. Although he’s currently deployed at center, sustaining that role at higher levels will depend on whether he can unlock more consistent stride usage and sharpen his shot form. If those areas develop, Gashilov projects as a physical, play-driving top-nine forward with power-play utility and solid two-way upside. (Josh Tessler)
Honorable Mention – Blake Zielinski, F, Des Moines
Zielinski is a smart, poised center who blends defensive responsibility with creative distribution. He consistently supports play below the red line, showing composure under pressure and an ability to transition the puck cleanly out of his own zone. His defensive reads and active stick allow him to close on attackers quickly and disrupt possessions without overcommitting.
In transition, Zielinski flashes strong puck protection and awareness, using deception and quick touch plays — including behind-the-back feeds — to advance play through tight areas. Offensively, he finds space well and looks to connect with teammates in stride, though he can occasionally overhandle pucks and miss quick passing windows. He’s engaged on both sides of the puck, competes well along the boards, and has the awareness to shoulder check and separate opponents before moving play the other way. A reliable, intelligent two-way center who facilitates play with confidence and composure. (Josh Tessler)
The Rankings
Rank
Player
Position
Team
1
Gavin McKenna
LW
Penn State University
2
Ivar Stenberg
LW/RW
Frölunda
3
Keaton Verhoeff
RHD
University of North Dakota
4
Mathis Preston
F
Spokane
5
Tynan Lawrence
C
Muskegon
6
Xavier Villeneuve
LHD
Blainville-Boisbriand
7
Viggo Björck
C/W
Djurgården
8
Ryan Lin
RHD
Vancouver
9
Chase Reid
RHD
Sault Ste. Marie
10
Alberts Smits
LHD
Jukurit
11
J.P. Hurlbert
F
Kamloops
12
Juho Piiparinen
RHD
Tappara
13
Ethan Belchetz
LW
Windsor
14
Yegor Shilov
C
Victoriaville
15
Nikita Klepov
F
Saginaw
16
Ryan Roobroeck
C
Niagara
17
Landon Hafele
F
Green Bay
18
Jack Hextall
C
Youngstown
19
Elton Hermansson
RW/LW
Örebro
20
Daxon Rudolph
RHD
Prince Albert
21
Casey Mutryn
F
USNTDP
22
Julien Maze
F
Regina
23
Adam Novotný
LW/RW
Peterborough
24
Malte Gustafsson
LHD
HV71
25
Carson Carels
LHD
Prince Albert
26
Marcus Nordmark
RW
Djurgården
27
Caleb Malhotra
C
Brantford
28
Vertti Svensk
LHD
SaiPa
29
Nikita Shcherbakov
LHD
Ufa
30
Tomas Chrenko
C
Nitra
31
Axel Elofsson
RHD
Örebro
32
Adam Valentini
F
University of Michigan
HM
Noah Kosick
C
Swift Current
HM
Beckham Edwards
C
Sarnia
HM
Brooks Rogowski
C
Oshawa
HM
Oscar Hemming
F
Sherwood Park
HM
William Håkansson
LHD
Luleå
HM
Viktor Fyodorov
C
Nizhny Novgorod
HM
Lavr Gashilov
C
Yekaterinburg
HM
Blake Zielinski
F
Des Moines
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