The 2026 NHL draft class has been exciting to track early on.
The preseason favorite for the first overall pick, Gavin McKenna, has had a good but not great season in the NCAA as a freshman, which has opened the door for others to get into the battle for the top spot.
The race for first overall is five players deep. McKenna headlines the group, while others – Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, Tynan Lawrence and Mathis Preston – could be in the discussion. The 2026 NHL Draft has some excellent depth of talent, which hasn’t always been the case over the last few years.
Let’s look at where the top 10 for the 2026 NHL Draft stand as we enter the holiday season and begin to put the top draft-eligible talent in focus.
Top 10 NHL draft prospects
Height and weight information are according to NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list.
1. Frolunda (Sweden) left wing Ivar Stenberg
Not many of this year’s draft prospects can combine intelligence with electric play as well as Stenberg. He is a great skater who works his tail off to pressure in all facets of the game. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound left wing plays a cerebral game, looking to make some incredible plays with the puck as a playmaker and goal scorer. He’s pacing to be the most productive draft-eligible player in Swedish pro history.
2. Muskegon (USHL) center Tynan Lawrence
The top center in the draft class dealt with injuries to start the season, but his recent return has him back in the conversation at the top. The 6-foot, 185-pound Lawrence plays with relentless speed and power. He has an excellent shot, only made more dangerous by his desire to drive to the net. He’s been a dominant two-way force everywhere from the USHL playoffs to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
3. Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna
After dominating the WHL, McKenna jumped to college hockey, where he’s faced a greater challenge from the bigger, stronger competition. McKenna has been the No. 1 prospect for so long that it seems silly to doubt it, but between his less-than-stellar start and the performance of the prospects around him, his ranking has come into question. Regardless, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound left wing’s electric skill and ability to dictate the offense will make him a hot commodity.
4. North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff
The transition from the WHL to the NCAA hasn’t been all that difficult for Verhoeff. He is the whole package on the back end. Verhoeff’s size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) and mobility give him a very solid base to build on. What makes him special is his puck-handling and his unfazed nature when dealing with pressure. Verhoeff is poised and confident at both ends of the ice.
5. Spokane (WHL) right wing Mathis Preston
When the game is on the line, Preston is the kind of player you want to have the puck. The 5-foot-11, 177-pound forward has the seamless ability to break up ice with speed, use his skill to get himself into a scoring position and generate a grade-A chance. Preston’s pace is unrelenting, backing defenders down and using them as screens to get pucks on net. His playmaking ability is silky smooth, with high-level creativity.
6. Windsor (OHL) left wing Ethan Belchetz
Belchetz’s 6-foot-5, 228-pound size and skill combo is impressive. Not many players can deke around before barreling through a defender on the way to the net. He has a heavy release from distance and deft touch from in tight. He’s been one of the most challenging players in the OHL to defend this season. His mobility has always been his biggest concern, but he’s worked hard on developing his skating over the last year.
7. Djurgarden (Sweden) center Viggo Bjorck
There has been some buzz about Bjorck for a couple of years now because of how highly productive he’s been in Sweden, but NHL scouts are concerned that his 5-foot-9, 177-pound frame will impede his effectiveness at the next level. His ability to dangle around the ice and create space for himself is entertaining to watch. If he can handle the game at Sweden’s pro level, he should stay near the top of the draft.
8. Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits
Smits is the most unknown of the top names in the 2026 draft class. He’s a bit of a development project, but his physical tools are incredible. He’s a very strong skater who can maneuver around the ice with ease. Smits plays with a confidence you want to see at both ends of the ice, closing space defensively and pushing the pace offensively. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Latvian defender is all upside.
9. Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid
In his second OHL season, Reid has already become one of the top-producing blueliners in the league. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Greyhound’s well-rounded game allows him to make an impact all over the ice. Defensively, he makes excellent reads and uses his edgework to match the attacker’s footwork. Offensively, he’s an effective and efficient puck-mover who consistently finds teammates in excellent scoring positions.
10. Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve
Villeneuve is not only one of the most purely skilled blueliners in the QMJHL, but he’s also among the most entertaining players in the draft class. His puck-handling at the blueline is almost video game-like, with matching passing ability. Villeneuve plays the game with as much creativity and flair as anyone. If there is any player who gives off the same vibe as Montreal Canadiens star Lane Hutson, it’s the 5-foot-11, 162-pound Villeneuve.