This week, in Lapointe’s Echos, we will take a look at the TSLH Prospects midseason rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft. Simon Servant’s Top 32 and my own will be revealed live tonight on the TSLH Podcast Patreon (19:30). Several hot topics will be worth watching, including the prospect ranked first overall, the identity of the defenseman standing above the rest, the QMJHL cohort, and the lack of high-end centers.

A Consensus for the First Overall Pick of the 2026 NHL Draft?

Ivar Stenberg has become a fairly common choice for the first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. Back in November, Simon and I had Gavin McKenna in that position. We acknowledged that the debate was legitimate due to the young player’s slower-than-expected start to the season, but has the debate now been settled? He had, overall, a solid World Junior Championship despite showing a lack of discipline in key moments. There were also legal issues involved recently, but if we focus strictly on his on-ice performance, Gavin McKenna has been trending in the right direction lately.

Is that enough for the young NCAA star to maintain his spot at the top of our February rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft? That’s what we will find out during the broadcast. From my perspective, the door is certainly open. Whether it’s Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, or Chase Reid, each has a legitimate case. Everything will depend on how patient we remain with our expectations and the level of risk associated with the Penn State winger’s profile.

An Elite Group of Defensemen at the Top of the NHL Draft

The defensemen class near the top of the rankings is truly intriguing this year. In November, Chase Reid, Alberts Smits, Keaton Verhoeff, and William Hakansson were all in my Top 10. On Simon Servant’s side, the names were Keaton Verhoeff, Chase Reid, Daxon Rudolph, and Ryan Lin. It’s very possible that a few names will change, but the main prospects at the position should remain highly ranked in our projections. In my view, Chase Reid, Alberts Smits, and Keaton Verhoeff are the three candidates with a real chance to be the first defenseman selected.

I know Carson Carels appears frequently in rankings across the web, but I don’t believe his profile deserves to be part of that conversation. This is a three-headed race, with each player competing in a different league. It’s not the easiest situation to evaluate, but it’s incredibly fascinating to follow. Will we favor Chase Reid, who dominates in the OHL, a junior league renowned for its quality? Or will it be Keaton Verhoeff, performing in an NCAA landscape that has changed dramatically over the past year? Or will Alberts Smits emerge as the winner while playing in Finland’s top professional league? Many questions that will be answered in just a few hours.

Another Weak QMJHL Draft Class

In November, Simon Servant ranked Xavier Villeneuve inside his Top 32, as did I. However, I also placed Egor Shilov in my Top 10. In my opinion, if two QMJHL prospects appear in the February Top 32, it will likely be those same two players again. This is not a particularly strong class this year, and the depth is lacking as well. I wouldn’t even be surprised if NHL organizations pass on both prospects within the first 32 selections next June.

Despite their talent, their profiles are far from perfect. The defenseman’s size is certainly a concern, while the Russian forward’s intensity raises questions on multiple levels. Perhaps a productive finish to the season and strong playoff performances could help their case. We’ll see, but nothing is guaranteed.

Few High-quality Centers in this NHL Draft

Tynan Lawrence, Oliver Suvanto, and Caleb Malhotra are slowly separating themselves from the competition at the center position in rankings across the web. Even so, this is not an impressive center class — that cannot be ignored. They are legitimate options, but compared to previous years, the depth is very limited. Back in November, I had Shilov ranked as the top center inside my Top 10, followed by Lawrence at 14th overall. Malhotra was ranked 23rd. On Servant’s list, Lawrence sat at 19th, Malhotra at 20th, and Suvanto barely made the cut at 32nd.

I believe those rankings will change in both Top 32 lists. Personally, I clearly underestimated Caleb Malhotra’s offensive upside. With increased viewings, that conclusion has become easy to reach. As for Lawrence, it will be interesting to see where he lands, as it’s clear we are not among his biggest supporters. Will his play in the NCAA allow him to climb, or will it keep him hovering around the Top 20? As for Suvanto, his play in Liiga has remained consistent. The young player is gaining experience, and his execution continues to improve. Nevertheless, his limited offensive ceiling could keep him ranked relatively low.

There are obviously many other debates that could be discussed, and we will save those for next week’s Lapointe’s Echos. That will allow us to revisit the discussions we’ve had and the movement that has occurred since. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the show!

Lapointe’s Echos is a recurring series of articles addressing current hockey news. The topics covered are quite broad and touch on the Montreal Canadiens, the NHL draft, the NHL, trades, social media debates, and more.