The season for prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft has been in full swing for a few months already. It is therefore time for the TSLH Prospects members to share an initial Top 32 ranking of the best prospects available for this draft. Watch our podcasts for more analysis on the best prospects for the 2026 NHL draft. The podcasts are also available in audio format.

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Gavin McKenna retains his top spot

Both analysts involved, Pascal and Simon, have the same prospect ranked first overall. That player is Gavin McKenna, a Canadian prospect who left the WHL to join the NCAA this season. Playing on the wing for Penn State, the young prodigy was somewhat disappointing at the start of the season. However, after the World Junior Championship, Gavin McKenna began producing at the expected level. It was, however, an off-ice incident that marked the period between the preliminary list and the mid-season list.

Indeed, McKenna literally punched a man in the face in a pub who had verbally insulted his mother. From a hockey standpoint, the top spot on prospect rankings can certainly be debated. But for our observers, Gavin McKenna remains, to this day, the best prospect in this class. The 6-foot, 165-pound left-hander has recorded 46 points in 30 games and is among the candidates for the Hobey-Baker Award.

“Yes, if it had continued the same way as the start of the season, McKenna would have lost his top spot. However, he played with very good players at the WJC and it went extremely well. When he plays with talented players, it works. Yes, Reid, Smits and the others have arguments for #1, but do any of them have McKenna’s potential? No. There is risk, yes, but I am willing to live with that risk!” – Pascal Lapointe in the TSLH Podcast, mid-season rankings special episode.

The drops

One of the players who saw a significant drop between the November list and the February list is Ethan Belchetz. The profile remains enticing at 6’5″, 226 pounds. However, his performances on the ice forced our observers to lower him on their most recent list. As such, Pascal moved Belchetz from 4th to 12th place between November and February. Simon Servant slightly tempers the drop, moving Belchetz from 2nd to 7th.

“The profile I saw in the preliminary ranking isn’t as present anymore. He’s a big frame who can score 25 or 30 in the NHL, but he won’t score many if he continues to position himself poorly. He’s on the wrong path right now. The profile is intriguing and interesting. But the on-ice performances have to follow. Simple plays that are poorly executed. He needs to be more aware of what’s happening on the ice.” – Simon Servant in the TSLH Podcast, mid-season rankings special episode.

Other consensus drops from TSLH Prospects at mid-season

It should be noted that sometimes, certain players can fall due to the emergence of other prospects. Below are the players who dropped in Simon’s and Pascal’s lists between November and February.

Ryan Lin

Niklas Aaram-Olsen

Mathis Preston

Beckham Edwards

The risers

Without a doubt, THE player who has risen the most in Pascal’s and Simon’s lists is Caleb Malhotra. He was ranked 23rd by Pascal and 20th by Simon in November. For the mid-season list in February, the Brantford Bulldogs forward finds himself ranked 11th on Simon’s mid-season ranking and 8th on Pascal’s. It is also worth noting that Simon St-Laurent, another contributor at TSLH Espoirs, has had Caleb Malhotra in his top 10 since November. He’s not a player coming out of nowhere, but he has clearly convinced many observers in recent months.

“He was as good, maybe even better at the start of the season than he is now. He didn’t suddenly become THE player of the draft. He’s a player who is involved on the ice and probably the most physically solid in the draft. We wondered if he was a product of his teammates in Brantford, and he proved that he wasn’t. Why did he rise? I have a clearer understanding of his profile. I now see him more as a true second-line center in the NHL. Gradually, we’re seeing a professional player playing in junior.” – Simon Servant in the TSLH Podcast, mid-season rankings special episode.

Other consensus risers from TSLH Prospects at mid-season

Carson Carels

Oscar Hemming

Oliver Suvanto

Alberts Smits

All analyses for each ranking on these lists are available in video or audio podcast format. (In french)
Youtube Channel: TSLH Podcast – Youtube
Spotify (Audio & Video): TSLH Podcast – Spotify
Apple Podcast: TSLH Podcast – Apple Podcast

TSLH Prospects Mid-Season’s Top 32 (February)

Preliminary top 32 (november)

To access content on prospects, including Montreal Canadiens prospects pool, and everything surrounding the NHL Draft, you can visit the TSLH Prospects section, subscribing to our various audio platforms, checking our YouTube channel, using the search bar at the top of the page, and exploring our TSLH Espoirs : Le Guide for free. Don’t forget Patreon as well!