Sportsnet’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: February Version

The hockey world has been centered on the Olympics for the previous two weeks, and there is nothing like a best-on-best match. The boys’s gold medal hockey sport will go down as the most effective in historical past, with a degree of pace, talent and physicality increased than we have witnessed earlier than.

It additionally served as a reminder about how vital the NHL Draft is.   

Thirty-one of the 40 skaters who took to the ice for Workforce Canada and Workforce USA within the gold medal sport had been chosen within the first spherical of the NHL Draft, and three of the 4 scratches had been as properly.

Simply two years in the past Macklin Celebrini was launched as the primary total decide by the San Jose Sharks and he, at 19 years previous, led the Olympic match in targets and completed second in factors behind 2015 first total decide Connor McDavid. Jack Hughes, the primary total decide in 2019, scored the golden aim, which was assisted on by Zach Werenski, the eighth total decide in 2015.

Preserve that in thoughts as we observe the 2026 draft class. Will anybody who will probably be chosen this June symbolize their nation on the 2030 Olympics in France?

There was one draft eligible participant who already represented his nation on the Olympics, Latvian Alberts Smits. He turned 18 in December and was the youngest participant to compete within the match. 4 years in the past Juraj Slafkovsky performed for Slovakia on the Olympics in his draft 12 months and captured the hearts of hockey followers in his nation by scoring seven targets, being named match MVP, and successful a bronze medal. That efficiency definitely was one cause why Montreal took him first total that season.

Although Smits performs a unique place than Slafkovsky and wasn’t as dominant as he was, the Latvian defenceman turned quite a lot of heads and was seen in-person by a number of NHL common managers. Smits is not more likely to find yourself as the primary total decide, however he is placing himself within the dialog to be a prime 5 choice.

This draft is top-heavy with defencemen. Keaton Verhoeff remains to be the chief of the pack, however he’s being challenged by Smits, OHL Sault Ste. Marie’s Chase Reid, and WHLers Carson Carels, Daxon Rudolph and, to a lesser extent, Ryan Lin.

There stays a good race for the No. 1 spot on this 12 months’s draft. Final month’s No. 1 participant, Ivar Stenberg, retains his place at present as he continues to place up historic SHL numbers with Frolunda. However Gavin McKenna, who had an eight-point sport final week, is again to resembling the participant we noticed in Drugs Hat final season. As scouts evaluation the whole lot within the coming months, this will probably be one thing to debate main as much as June.

This 12 months’s first spherical tasks to have all kinds of talent units for scouts to parse by means of. There are nonetheless extra common season video games forward, then playoffs and the world under-18 championship left for gamers to enhance their draft standing.

There are 4 months till the NHL Draft. And with that, listed here are our newest rankings:

No. 1: Ivar Stenberg, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 kilos, Frolunda (SHL)

Many puzzled if he would expertise a drop-off in manufacturing going again to the SHL after the world juniors. That has not been the case, as Stenberg continues to tempo himself in direction of the perfect draft-eligible season in SHL historical past. That file is owned by Daniel Sedin with 42 factors in 50 video games, adopted by brother Henrik with 34 factors. At time of writing, Stenberg has 32 factors in 36 video games performed. However Stenberg’s standing because the No. 1-ranked participant isn’t just due to his level manufacturing. It’s his swagger, compete and the way in which he is performed underneath stress that retains him there for now.

No. 2: Gavin McKenna, LW, 5-foot-11, 170 kilos, Penn State (NCAA)

Macklin Celebrini and Adam Fantilli are the latest similar to McKenna so far as gamers who went to school at this age. Three years in the past, Celebrini had 32 targets and 64 factors as a freshman at Boston College. 4 years in the past, Fantilli had 30 targets and 65 factors as a freshman at Michigan. Each had been Hobey Baker winners. Till lately, we hadn’t seen that degree of manufacturing from McKenna, however the eight factors he recorded in a Feb. 20 sport in opposition to Ohio State set a faculty file and places him on observe to compete with these totals. Extra importantly, McKenna’s off-puck play and energy to be extra accountable defensively have scouts excited.

No. 3: Keaton Verhoeff, RD, 6-foot-4, 208 kilos, North Dakota (NCAA)

Verhoeff has a excessive ceiling and possesses quite a lot of instruments that scouts love. He has NHL measurement already, however nonetheless loads of room so as to add energy, and there’s seemingly one other small progress spurt forward. His puck handles are adequate to evade oncoming forecheckers, make performs on the offensive blue line, and off the push. There may be some concern about his agility, however that’s one thing that may be improved. Verhoeff has extra runway than these above him as a result of he’s a 2008 birthday — a midsummer birthday — which give him a minimum of six months extra of growth time than both McKenna or Stenberg. 

No. 4: Chase Reid, RD, 6-foot-2, 188 kilos, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Reid brings a extra dynamic sport to the desk than does Verhoeff, however that comes with some danger. Reid is great getting again on pucks and utilizing his ft and elite passing capacity to interrupt them out. His fancy footwork permits him to stroll the blue line and discover lanes to get pictures by means of, and he hardly ever passes up a capturing alternative. His skating is amongst the perfect on this class, particularly his pace and edge-work. 

No. 5: Caleb Malhotra, C, 6-foot-1, 182 kilos, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

It’s all within the particulars with Malhotra. You need to watch him intently to understand all of the subtleties in his sport, which absolutely comes from his nice athleticism, but additionally as a result of he is been across the sport at a excessive degree his complete life. Malhotra shows an elite two-way sport the place duty trumps danger. He is aware of the place to go on the ice, find out how to use his stick and physique place to win and shield pucks, and as soon as free, he’s a twin menace as a playmaker and scorer. He nonetheless has numerous room for bodily progress, which contributes to his huge potential.  

No. 6: Alberts Smits, LD, 6-foot-3, 205 kilos Jukurit (Liiga)

Any participant who competes on the Olympics in his draft-eligible season is definitely one who turns heads. Smits has been doing that each one 12 months in Liiga play, however then went to the world juniors the place Latvian coaches wore him out. He advantages from enjoying on a weak Liiga crew, which has handled him to prime pairing minutes all season lengthy. The actual fact he additionally performed so properly on the Olympics for a weaker hockey nation in Latvia makes you surprise what he’ll grow to be when he is surrounded by elite expertise. He has the arrogance of a lion, NHL measurement and energy, and he proved he was capable of hold tempo in opposition to the perfect gamers on the planet. His determination making and puck expertise want work, however he appears like an NHL participant proper now.  

No. 7: Carson Carels, LD, 6-foot-2, 202 kilos, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Exudes a confidence that permeates to whoever he is enjoying with. He’s a area common out on the ice, taking cost of vital conditions. His household farming background speaks to the work ethic he shows on and off the ice. Carels continues to be leaned on in all key conditions and has produced elite degree offence in junior. Whereas that manufacturing could not stay elite on the NHL degree, he’s defensively sturdy sufficient to keep up a top-pairing position. 

No. 8: Viggo Bjorck, RW, 5-foot-9, 177 kilos, Djurgardens (SHL)

There isn’t any query he will probably be ignored by numerous groups based mostly on his measurement. However his hockey IQ, talent set, and defensive consciousness ought to enable him to play centre down the highway within the NHL. Bjorck’s measurement doesn’t affect the way in which he performs. He’s not deterred to do what it takes to win puck battles, whatever the measurement of the opposition. He makes use of his smarts to take routes to pucks that don’t depart him uncovered. And when there’s contact, he’s like Mitch Marner in that he’ll settle for it, however hardly ever at full pressure. He’s masterful at discovering good ice both for himself or his teammates.  

No. 9: Tynan Lawrence, C, 6-foot-1, 185 kilos, Boston College (NCAA)

After scoring 17 factors in 13 USHL video games to begin his season, Lawrence hasn’t been capable of translate that degree of offensive contribution to the faculty degree but. For the primary time on this draft cycle, there’s some doubt as to the place he suits amongst the highest centres on this draft class. Sure, there was lots to love in the summertime and the restricted variety of USHL video games he performed this 12 months, however the school transition has confirmed to be a problem. This isn’t totally sudden due to his age. School hockey just isn’t simple and though likelihood is nonetheless being earned, the pure manufacturing anticipated from him has merely not adopted. Ought to he get the prospect to get again with Canada’s U18 crew, he will probably be trying to regain his standing as considered one of, if not the highest, centres this class has to supply.  

No. 10: Oscar Hemming, LW, 6-foot-4, 193 kilos, Boston School (NCAA)

The wait was price it for scouts. The expectation for this participant was that he was going to hold over his four-goal, six-point effort from the Hlinka-Gretzky into the common season and proceed to develop and develop. After an extended layoff, Hemming has settled in properly at Boston School, enjoying on a line with Bruins prospects James Hagens and Andre Gasseau. Hemming has put up two pictures per sport and has eight factors in his 14 video games performed so far. He displays energy ahead traits with how makes use of his body to bump opponents and along with his capacity to drive the online. 

No. 11: Daxon Rudolph, RD, 6-foot-3, 206 kilos, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Whereas his draft class friends Verhoeff, Carels, Reid and Smits had been getting world junior reps, Rudolph saved on going with Prince Albert. He is performed 31 video games since discovering out he wasn’t going to be on Canada’s world junior crew. He went with no level in seven of these, however within the different 24 Rudolph put up 16 targets and 39 factors. He brings zest and aptitude to the desk and little doubt leans to the offensive facet. There are occasions the place offence is an excessive amount of of a spotlight that it detracts from the defensive facet, however that can shift with maturity.  

No. 12: Adam Novotny, LW, 6-foot-1, 204 kilos, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

From the second he confirmed up in Peterborough, Novotny has impressed coaches and gamers alike. He’s a team-first participant, who works tirelessly on his sport each within the gymnasium and on the ice. He performs a tough and trustworthy sport. In OHL competitors, his energy permits him to clear house and produce top-level numbers. He hardly ever passes up a capturing alternative and does not want a lot time to essentially rip a puck. He appears like a professional, with intangibles that play all day. I am undecided if the offence will observe him to NHL, however he’s a secure decide regardless. 

No. 13: Oliver Suvanto, C, 6-foot-3, 207 kilos, Tappara (Liiga)

As {one of the} youthful gamers on this draft class, there’s loads of room for Suvanto to develop. It’s laborious to consider that he’s maintained a serviceable spot in Tappara’s lineup all season at simply 17 years previous. It’s much more spectacular that Tappara is the highest membership in Liiga. Suvanto is an influence ahead not a lot for making use of himself bodily to intimidate opponents, however extra as a result of he understands find out how to use his physique to be an efficient cycle participant who’s good alongside the wall and good at defending pucks to increase performs. He shoots the puck properly, however doesn’t shoot sufficient, with simply 42 pictures in 43 video games to this point. There may be some playmaking capacity right here, however that also needs to get even higher as his stick expertise proceed to develop. 

No. 14: Marcus Nordmark, RW, 6-foot-2, 187 kilos, Djurgardens (Sweden J20)

His 12-point Hlinka match instantly engaged scouts and that springboard has result in big success in any respect ranges of play this season. The worldwide success is vital in that it backs up his point-and-a-half per sport numbers within the J20 league, the place analysis isn’t at all times simple. Most lately on the 5 Nations match, he once more carried out at a prime degree, getting factors in all 4 video games for a seven-point occasion. Nordmark possesses top-notch puck-handling capacity, he’s acquired deception in his sport and he can get pucks to the online with pace and accuracy. He pays consideration to his defensive sport and could be relied on in numerous conditions.

No. 15: Ryan Lin, RD, 5-foot-11, 177 kilos, Vancouver Giants (WHL)  

There are three similar-sized, elite-skating defencemen within the first spherical dialog of this draft. Lin tops the checklist that features Xavier Villeneuve and Tommy Bleyl from the QMJHL. Lin is probably the most refined of the lot. He’s a dynamic skater, a extremely efficient puck-mover and is greater than succesful at defending. He has, nonetheless, been out of the lineup for over a month now and with Vancouver out of the playoff combine, he ought to have a couple of video games earlier than the tip of the common season to get able to play for Canada on the U18 worlds. That check will go a great distance in figuring out the place he’ll wind up on this draft class.  

No. 16: Ethan Belchetz, LW, 6-foot-5, 228 kilos, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

There are such a lot of methods during which he can affect the sport, however at occasions it virtually appears too simple. His arms are so good that they appear misplaced on a participant this huge. There’s no denying his elite capturing capacity and the propensity to play a imply, power-forward sport on demand. He’s not a speedster however will get to his spot totally on time. For Belchetz, it’s about figuring out early in a sport what’s working and what’s not after which enjoying to the strengths current in that sport and sticking with it.

No. 17: Nikita Klepov, LW, 6-foot, 180 kilos, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

It’s been fairly the breakout season for Klepov, who continues to supply top-end offence for Saginaw. He has greater than doubled his level totals from USHL Sioux Metropolis final 12 months, having surpassed the 30-goal and 81-point plateaus. Klepov can transport pucks and alter tempo on opponents when obligatory. His puck contact is great and so is his capacity to seek out open lanes to distribute. There’s loads of creativity in his sport. 

No. 18: Ilia Morozov, C, 6-foot-3, 200 kilos, Miami (NCAA)

NHL Central Scouting boosted this participant considerably in its January launch, transferring him as much as the No. 8 spot amongst North American skaters after having been a ‘B’ ranked participant again in October. Both he was underneath considered at the beginning, or he has skilled regular progress all through the season. I believe it is the latter. Oftentimes that is the case when younger gamers enter the faculty ranks. Whereas he has seen loads of alternative all season lengthy, his confidence has grown and he’s now a go-to within the Miami offensive scheme. Morozov will get after it most each shift and if he fails to supply, the tight and aggressive forechecking will little doubt create alternatives if not for himself than for his teammates.  

No. 19: J.P. Hurlbert, LW, 5-foot-11, 176 kilos, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

As a participant who’s extraordinarily assured in his skills, he could be responsible of passing up the easy play to try to execute a harder one. It is easy to see why as a result of he has an array of offensive instruments. Hurlbert’s determination to go away the USNTDP to play for Kamloops was the correct transfer on the proper time. The event program is experiencing a down 12 months, whereas Kamloops is at all times within the playoff combine. Head coach Shaun Clouston has a stable repute for creating gamers whose video games transition properly to the professionals. For Hurlbert, maintaining the offensive sport intact, whereas turning into a extra accountable defensive participant has been key. 

No. 20: Xavier Villeneuve, LD, 5-foot-11, 172 kilos, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

It is like having an additional ahead when he’s on the ice. At any given second, Villeneuve will take off and create havoc along with his puck carrying expertise. And if he turns it over or makes a mistake, he’ll get on his horse and be the primary participant again to appropriate the error. His aggressive spirit just isn’t solely infectious, however it makes opponents conscious that he is a participant who doesn’t shrink back from bodily contact, open-ice or alongside the wall. His season has been restricted to simply 35 factors in 36 video games and for that cause scouts are involved about NHL sturdiness, particularly due to his measurement.  

No. 21: William Hakansson, LD, 6-foot-4, 207 kilos, Lulea (SHL)   

Certainly one of my favorite gamers on this draft class, Hakansson has an amazing degree of self consciousness. He’s a two-way defenceman whom I count on so as to add layers of offence as he matures and positive factors extra expertise. Presently, he defends properly, pinning defenders low within the defensive zone and guarding the net-front with vigour. As soon as he has the puck, he makes good selections, whether or not ready for breakout lanes to open or forcing the difficulty by transporting the puck. His throughout sport is stable and mixed with a giant body, there’s loads of worth in any such participant. His offensive upside hasn’t even been utterly unlocked but.  

No. 22: Juho Piiparinen, RD, 6-foot-1, 201 kilos, Tappara (Liiga)

Because the world juniors, Piiparinen has performed video games in each the U20 and Mestis leagues as Tappara continues to rule the roost in Liiga. This transfer has allowed him to play huge minutes versus getting inconsistent ice time when enjoying on the highest degree. It is also given him confidence so as to add extra on the offensive finish, though his projection just isn’t as a big-time level getter, however extra of a complementary, secure and sound associate. This shouldn’t be considered as a nasty factor, however his true worth is defending, enjoying easy, transferring pucks precisely and effectively and ultimately consuming huge minutes. 

No. 23: Wyatt Cullen, LW, 6-foot, 172 kilos, USNTDP (USHL)

Of all of the gamers at the moment outdoors of the highest 20, Cullen would be the most enjoyable to trace to see if he can keep wholesome standing by means of the World U18’s. This system has struggled mightily in league play and in opposition to school competitors. The U18 match is the crowning jewel for the USNTDP so if he can lead the cost and proper the ship throughout that occasion, Cullen has the prospect to considerably elevate his draft inventory. As at all times, NHL bloodlines immediately add worth, particularly somebody whose father (Matt Cullen) performed over 1,500 NHL video games.

No. 24: Alexander Command, C, 6-foot-1, 183 kilos, Orebro (Sweden J20)

He is grow to be a sizzling subject within the scouting world over the previous month as a result of he is proven he has greater than only a “B” sport. And whereas the defensive basis and excessive degree of compete haven’t left his sport, he’s proving that he can even produce at an elite degree within the J20 loop. A lot in order that he’s earned SHL video games as properly. If his two-way sport stays in place and the offence continues to peak, he can even be fascinating to trace as we transfer nearer to the draft.  

No. 25: Liam Ruck, RW, 6-foot, 176 kilos, Drugs Hat Tigers (WHL)

At time of writing, his 84 factors are second-most amongst all draft eligible gamers within the CHL. Oddly sufficient, the departures of McKenna and Cayden Lindstrom have opened up extra alternatives for Ruck than he could have anticipated a 12 months in the past right now. The actual fact Drugs Hat hasn’t missed a beat after dropping these two gamers tells you a large number about Ruck (and brother Markus) and the sport he brings to the Tigers on a nightly foundation. He doesn’t dazzle you with particular person talent, however he does make performs and his fast determination making permits him to tempo the sport as he needs. He’s represented Canada on numerous events. He’s gained a WHL title, performed in a Memorial Cup and is out to show the Tigers are worthy as a back-to-back WHL title contenders. 

No. 26: Mathis Preston, RW, 5-foot-11, 177 kilos, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Preston appeared to be re-energized after a commerce from Spokane to Vancouver in early January. He acquired into two video games along with his new crew, scoring an OT game-winner and including three factors, earlier than struggling a knee harm in the midst of that second sport. He’s been out of the lineup for over a month and stays week-to-week. Like Lin, Canada would like to have Preston accessible for the U18 worlds, and for a man who’s had a roller-coaster of a season, the publicity would absolutely assist. At his greatest, Preston brings nice puck-handling expertise and pace to the desk, he’s sturdy on his skates, as he leans to the offensive facet. The query is: how elite is his offence, and when it is not current, will he test properly sufficient to have the ability to keep minutes in an NHL lineup as a prime two-line participant?

No. 27: Egor Shilov, C, 6-foot, 177 kilos, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

Some of the dynamic energy play producers on this draft class, Shilov is slippery holding pucks alongside the wall. He darts away from defenders on the final second, leaving open-ice forward of him and with that additional time he’s a twin menace to seek out open teammates or use his wonderful stick and puck expertise and fast launch to get it to the online himself. There may be some frustration watching his sport in that most effort isn’t at all times current, however he’s impressed with the puck on his stick and is a menace each time he possesses it.

No. 28: Maddox Dagenais, C, 6-foot-4, 196 kilos, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

Continues to steadily rise. Dagenais advantages from being the son of a former NHLer (Pierre), however is carving his personal path as an influence ahead. His final 10-game phase noticed him rating seven targets and 16 factors. Dagenais has a shoot-first mentality, with a depraved shot that’s each laborious and correct. Massive, scoring centres are on the prime of the meals chain within the NHL and Dagenais definitely suits that invoice.    

No. 29: Nikita Shcherbakov, LD, 6-foot-5, 187 kilos, Ufa (Russia)

All the time a captivating examine, this participant appears each bit the a part of an NHL participant. His measurement goes with out query, however his stick expertise are elite for a participant his measurement. The actual fact he didn’t produce a aim in 13 MHL video games is mind-boggling. He’s at the moment on a run of VHL video games the place he’s enjoying second pairing minutes and swiftly you see a three-goal sport combined in with a couple of assists and one wonders why he even noticed time within the MHL in any respect this season. So it goes with Russian gamers, the place so many components off the rink affect the place and when a participant performs. The cat is out of the bag on this man, although, and he could find yourself going so much increased than the place this rating has him. A participant to look at within the coming months.

No. 30: Simas Ignatavicius, RW, 6-foot-3, 198 kilos, Geneva (SUI)

A twin US/Lithuanian citizen, Ignatavicius has quietly gone about his enterprise representing Lithuania internationally and plying his commerce within the Swiss league professionally. He’s a little bit of an unknown, and making an attempt to get a deal with on him compared to the remainder of the draft class must be achieved in a vacuum. He has measurement, is prepared to go in on the forecheck, he’s good and selective when it comes to positioning and he skates properly. His puck handles are greater than sufficient and he has a historical past of manufacturing in low degree worldwide play. With all of that mentioned, a crew should be assured the whole lot will translate in opposition to higher competitors, and finally on the NHL degree. He can be greatest served to discover a spot in North America in opposition to competitors his age subsequent season, with a purpose to hasten his growth.

No. 31: Brooks Rogowski, C, 6-foot-7, 235 kilos, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

It is a participant who must develop into his physique. Whereas he’s not awkward in transferring round, he might stand to be extra fluid and agile in his actions. Absolutely this can include elevated energy and the mandatory time wanted to catch as much as his physique. For probably the most half, he performs a easy, straight line sport. He’ll go to the online, win board battles and usually compete persistently. He might stand to be more durable on pucks and on his skates. A extra bullish strategy the place he strikes worry in opponents is a component that additionally must develop.  Little question, the membership that takes him should be affected person. Assume Dean Letourneau, Boston’s first-rounder from 2024. 

No. 32: Tobias Trejbal, G, 6-foot-4, 190 kilos Youngstown (USHL)

Proper-catching goalies at all times present intrigue on the draft. We noticed it final 12 months when Josh Ravensbergen emerged as the highest goalie when he was chosen by San Jose with the thirtieth decide. I really feel like Trejbal will probably be picked in the identical space of the draft. He’s related in measurement and stature to Ravensbergen, however appears to be extra polished and refined. Trejbal strikes properly from post-to-post and does an incredible job squaring as much as shooters and directing rebounds away from bother. Photographs at him stick and he hardly ever exhibits panic in his sport. He’s a significant cause why Youngstown is the highest crew within the USHL and he has a presence in every of the three main goalie stat classes.