Another month, another round of my 2026 NHL Draft rankings.
My last set of rankings released just after February where the move by many to shift Ivar Stenberg into the number one spot was trendy. Still, at the time, I stuck with Penn State’s Gavin McKenna. It wasn’t for the lack of production or the historic run that Stenberg was on in the SHL, rather the assets that McKenna was showing that led me to believe that his overall development could still exceed that of his Swedish counterpart at the NHL level.
Now, obviously like we’ve seen in years past, the draft lottery and team needs could change the trajectory of the draft and these prospects. However, given his finish to the NCAA season, McKenna continues to stand above the rest of the class as the potential number one pick – at least in my books.
Related: THW’s 2026 Draft Guide
As for the rest of the group, there has certainly been some movement. Some players have dropped out of the top-five, while others like Caleb Malhotra have made a move into being considered as a top prospect in this draft. The first round is littered with players from across many different leagues. Having the first run of former CHLers in the NCAA, collegiate hockey has made a strong push as a top development route this season – more so than previous seasons, as expected.
Other names like Braidy Wassilyn with the London Knights have dropped off as their respective seasons have come to an end, while other players like Ryan Lin, might have some more interest with their announcements of collegiate commitment coming down the wire.
Regardless of where they sit, we’re closing in on the end of the 2026 NHL Draft season, with the World U18 Championships around the corner. As players’ seasons begin to end, here’s a look at my top-96 rankings for the month of April.
First Round
1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)
While some started to question his place atop the draft rankings earlier in the year, there has been a small shift back to McKenna as the number one pick. His play to close out the NCAA season was impressive with his compete level hitting harder than it had earlier when he was getting used to the collegiate game. Still, his skill with the puck is undeniable. His speed is noticeable. And his play away form the puck suggests a player that will develop into a strong 200-foot player with an extremely high ceiling offensively. He’s battled a fair amount of adversity this season – more than most first overall picks and maybe more than people would like. However, he’s come out on the other side after being charged with assault, letting the facts of the story speak for themselves. The adversity might make him a tougher-skinned player heading into the draft, something that teams will look for in a top-end prospect with McKenna’s expectation.
2. Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)
Stenberg has been on a historic run in the SHL this season, which has caused some to put him right in line with McKenna for the first overall selection – and rightfully so. The fact is, he comes as advertised. Confident. Skilled. And some would suggest that he’s already set to make the jump to the NHL. Regardless of your beliefs in starting an 18-year-old out in the NHL following their draft, one thing is for sure.
Stenberg’s ability to transition to the North American pro game isn’t going to take long. He’s quick and silky in the way that he moves around the ice. It throws defenders off when he has the puck and his vision allows him to be dangerous both as a scorer and a playmaker. Third all-time in SHL scoring from a draft-eligible player – behind only the Sedin twins – Stenberg will certainly make team question how they can move up the ladder on draft day to get this future stud.
3. Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA)
Call me crazy, but I’m still extremely high on Boston University’s Tynan Lawrence. Unlike others in this draft, his transition to the NCAA didn’t come without taking a step back production-wise. He puts in the work and his compete level goes without question. That said, his two goals and seven points in 18 games after the collegiate move do have some wondering how he will transition to the pro game and understandably so. It’s the intangibles, however, that still impress me. His ability to drive the play, his quick feet and his responsible play in his end have me thinking that he could develop into more of a blue-collar prospect that can add production back in as he gets comfortable. Maybe I’m too high on the kid, but I think Lawrence still has the potential of a top-three pick in the draft.
4. Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
This kid has climbed the rankings all season and deservingly so. Caleb Malhotra showed the Ontario Hockey League this season just how impressive his game is from a production standpoint, finishing 12th in the league in points as a rookie. Another prospect with a blue-collar work ethic, he competes on a level that is going to drive teams crazy. He attacks the opposition head on and can create off the rush while garnering his own opportunities as well.
Somehow, his off-the-puck play might be even more impressive, opening up the gaps for his teammates while also finding his way into open areas to give others an option. If he slides outside the top-five in this draft, it will be a shame for the teams that overlooked him, but someone will be getting a player that will add a lot their squad down the road.
5. Chase Reid, RD, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
This one was hard to push down to fifth overall, but an upper-body injury during the season made him just slightly more expendable to my top-five. That said, Chase Reid is an incredibly strong talent. His production and big-game impact is something you simply can teach. He plays hard and controls the game with confidence. He can skate the puck out of his own zone and does so with poise – not being afraid to join the rush when the opportunity strikes. There’s a reason why he still produced 48 points in 40 games with the Greyhounds this season, even with the injury. His mobility changes the game for his team and opens up the ice for others to get opportunities. Committed to Michigan State, Reid’s game should transition well to the next level and eventually to pro game.
6. Keaton Verhoeff, RD, University of North Dakota (NCAA)
Another example of a player who took time to transition from the CHL to the NCAA, Verhoeff’s run as a freshman defender with the University of North Dakota wasn’t all bad. In fact, he finished with six goals and 20 points in 32 games in his first year in the NCAA and still does a good job of driving the play and bouncing off defenders as he moves the puck up the ice. He’s a sizeable defender that is positionally sound and can cut down attackers in his own end, but there are still aspects of his game that need work.
Related: 2026 NHL Draft – Baracchini’s Top 96 March Rankings
The skill is there, it’s just not fully developed yet and it’s safe to say that Verhoeff is a work in progress that has will end up being a star at the next level down the road. His journey might just be a little longer than those above him in this draft.
7. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
A potential power forward at the next level, Ethan Belchetz has size and skill mixed into the perfect prospect to take on that role. The first overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft, he will win puck battles and doesn’t shy away from the grimy areas on the ice. With the puck, he can control the play around the outside and drives the net using his size and protection of the puck.
Away from it, he uses his physicality and dominance to create order amongst his opponents. He’s a north-south player that isn’t afraid to take the play to the opposition and, for his size, he has delicate hands in tight making him a force in the offensive zone.
8. Viggo Björck, C/W, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
If a team is looking for a spark plug, Viggo Björck might be the pick for them. He has top-10 talent and kicks around the ice as quickly as anyone. He’s on the smaller side, but his overall abilities overshadow his five-foot, 10-inch stature. He’s quick and drives the play up the ice. He sees the game extremely well and it allows him to create plays off the rush, controlling the game and the pace of play. While his size does come up, his willingness to get involved in puck battles is impressive and warrants the top-10 selection.
9. Carson Carels, LD, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Hard-nosed and in your face, Carson Carels is a tough defender to play against. His reach and willingness to step up shifts the route of attackers and forces plays to the outside. He’s aggressive and can defend one-on-one, but makes it a priority to stop entry rather than defend once the play has entered the zone.
Related: Top 5 CHL Defencemen in the 2026 NHL Draft
As for what he can do offensively, he turns the play back up the ice quickly and transitions the play to create opportunity for his team.
10. Ryan Lin, RD, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Ryan Lin sees the game on a different level which squeaked him into my top-10 this time around. He has strong positional awareness and plays with confidence that you want to see in a top-end defender. He can control the play through the neutral zone and his puck-handling skills make him a tough player to defend – especially when he looks to pass off the rush. He’s a safe player and one that takes few risks. Depending on what you’re looking for in a defenceman, that could be beneficial if you’re alright with him picking his spots. He’s committed to the University of Denver for the 2026-27 season, which should be a good developmental move for the two-way defenceman.
11. Alberts Šmits, LD, EHC München (DEL)
12. Xavier Villeneuve, LD, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
13. Elton Hermansson, RW/LW, MoDo Hockey (HockeyAllsvenskan)
14. Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
15. Malte Gustafsson, LD, HV71 (SHL)
16. Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
17. Oliver Suvanto, RW, Tappara (Liiga)
18. Daxon Rudolph, RD, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
19. Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
20. Oscar Hemming, F, Boston College (NCAA)
21. Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
22. Juho Piiparinen, RD, Tappara (Liiga)
23. J.P. Hurlbert, RW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
24. Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
25. Ilia Morozov, F, Miami University (Ohio) (NCAA)
26. Ryan Roobroeck, C, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
27. Adam Valentini, C, University of Michigan (NCAA)
28. Tomas Chrenko, C, HK Nitra (Slovakia)
29. Alexander Command, C, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
30. Jaxon Cover, LW, London Knights (OHL)
31. Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
32. Wyatt Cullen, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
Second Round
33. Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
34. Casey Mutryn, F, USA U18 (NTDP)
35. Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
36. Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
37. Maddox Dagenais, C, Québec Remparts (QMJHL)
38. Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Related: Are Liam and Markus Ruck Destined to Become Canucks?
39. William Håkansson, LD, Luleå HF U20 (Nationell)
40. Yegor Shilov, C, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
41. Markus Ruck, F, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
42. Filip Novak, F, HC Sparta Praha U20 (Czechia U20)
43. Lars Steiner, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
44. Victor Plante, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)
45. Adam Nemec, F, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
46. Vladimír Dravecky, LD, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
47. Oscar Holmertz, C, Linköping HC U20 (Nationell)
48. Braidy Wassilyn, C, London Knights (OHL)
49. Vertti Svensk, LD, Slippa (Liiga)
50. Giorgos Pantelas, RD, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
51. Mikey Berchild, F, USA U18 (NTDP)
52. Lavr Gashilov, C, Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)
53. Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
54. Axel Elofsson, RD, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
55. Jean-Christoph Lemieux, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
56. Luke Schairer, RD, USA U18 (NTDP)
57. Viktor Fyodorov, C, Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)
58. Tobias Tomik, C/RW, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
59. Vilho Vanhatalo, LW/RW, Tappara U20 (SM-sarja)
60. Alexei Vlasov, LW, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
61. Cole Zurawski, RW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
62. Gleb Pugachyov, RW, Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (WHL)
63. Simas Ignatavicius, C, Geneve (NL)
64. Blake Zielinski, F, USA U18 (NTDP)
Third Round
65. Chase Harrington, LW, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
66. Thomas Vandenberg, C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
67. Olivers Mūrnieks, C, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
68. Adam Goljer, RD, HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)
69. Nikita Shcherbakov, LD, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)
70. Colin Fitzgerald, C, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
71. Landon Hafele, C, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
72. Landon Nycz, LD, University of Massachusetts (NCAA)
73. Casper Juustovaara Karlsson, C/LW, Luleå HF (SHL)
74. Samu Alalauri, RD, Pelicans U20 (SM-sarja)
75. Ben MacBeath, LD, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
76. Wiggo Sorensson, C/W, Boro/Vetlanda HC (SWE-Division 2)
77. Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW, Leksands IF U20 (Nationell)
78. Ryder Cali, C, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
79. Tommy Bleyl, RD, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
80. Tomas Galvas, LD, Liberec (Czechia)
81. Evan Jardine, F, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
82. Ryan Brown, LW, London Knights (OHL)
83. Thomas Rousseau, RW, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
84. Nils Bartholdsson, RW, Rögle BK U20 (Nationell)
85. Luka Arkko, F, Pelicans U20 (SM-sarja)
86. Ethan MacKenzie, LD, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
87. Brek Liske, RD, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
88. Mykola Kosarev, LD, Victoria Royals (WHL)
89. Oscar Olsson, LW/RW, Örebro HK U20 (Nationell)
90. Morgan Anderberg, C/LW, Växjö Lakers HC (SHL)
91. Brady Knowling, G, USA U18 (NTDP)
92. Alexander Bilecki, LD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
93. Rudolfs Berzkalns, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
94. Simon Katolicky, LW/RW, Tappara U20 (SM-sarja)
95. Myles Brosnan, RD, Dexter Southfield School (USHS-Prep)
96. Michal Orsulak, G, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
