With the conclusion of the world juniors and the NHL season beyond its halfway point, the 2026 draft is quickly entering the forefront of discussions across the hockey world.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced this week the draft will be hosted at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center in June, becoming the first arena to host the event in its decentralized format since it was introduced at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles last year.
The NHL’s Central Scouting department also released its mid-term rankings, headlined by Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Keaton Verhoeff, sparking debate among scouts and prospect enthusiasts. Player evaluation for this class is becoming more intriguing with each passing day.
Considering the current NHL standings and the organizational needs of the teams positioned to select in the lottery, let’s look at one of many ways the top 16 picks in the draft could fall next summer.
(Draft order determined by standings, sorted by points percentage, before games on Jan. 15, 2026)
NHL mock draft: Top 16 picks
1. Vancouver Canucks: Frolunda (Sweden) left wing Ivar Stenberg
Stenberg took his game to new heights in the biggest moments of the world juniors. He was just as dangerous as a distributor as he was a finisher, and his ability to break down defenses and make high-end plays under pressure made him one of the tournament’s best players. He scored a game-winning goal in his return to Frolunda, and his historic scoring pace in the Swedish League will make him a top-three pick this summer.
2. Winnipeg Jets: Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna
McKenna’s showing at the world juniors was cause for debate. He finished second in tournament scoring while being a catalyst on the best power play at the event. His play off the puck and his overall compete level still left a lot to be desired, however. He has the tools to be a generational offensive talent, but his spot as the No. 1 pick in this draft is no longer a lock. Winnipeg needs another top-end winger anyway.
3. Calgary Flames: North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff
With Rasmus Andersson trade rumors intensifying, the Flames could land a long-term replacement in Verhoeff as a right-shot defenseman who can log big minutes and play in all on-ice situations. There wasn’t a ton of opportunity for him at the world juniors to showcase his skills with Team Canada, but a big second half at North Dakota should reinforce his status as the top blueliner in this class.
4. St. Louis Blues: Boston University (NCAA) center Tynan Lawrence
Lawrence suited up for his first three games of college hockey after leaving the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks to join Boston University. He centered the team’s top line alongside two top prospects in the NCAA, Cole Eiserman and Ryder Ritchie. While there’s clearly going to be an adjustment period, his motor, defensive contributions and ability to elevate teammates will translate well and should make for an intriguing push to become the top pick in this draft.
5. New York Rangers: Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits
Smits’ draft stock skyrocketed after his showing at the world juniors. He averaged the second-most ice time in the tournament at 23:40, was responsible for handling every tough matchup Latvia faced, and was the driving force of the team’s offense. The 18-year-old was named to Latvia’s Olympic team, and with another impressive showing, he could be the first defender off the board this summer.
6. Chicago Blackhawks: Windsor (OHL) left wing Ethan Belchetz
At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, Belchetz has the frame of an enforcer with the vision and IQ of a playmaker, making him a one-of-a-kind prospect in this class. His biggest concern this season has been his skating and overall pace, but he still feels like a solid top-six forward with a set of tools that teams don’t typically let slide beyond the top five. The Blackhawks could eventually play him with Connor Bedard or Frank Nazar.
7. Anaheim Ducks: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid
Reid is a talented athlete who processes offense at a very high level while defending with purpose. There are few players with his tools in this class. There were times when his aggressiveness in driving play at the world juniors worked against him, but he never let mistakes discourage him. His willingness to be a difference-maker with each shift is admirable, and he could help an aging right side of the Ducks’ defense.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Djurgarden (Sweden) center Viggo Bjorck
Despite being Sweden’s youngest player at the world juniors, Bjorck was right there with Stenberg as one of the most effective forwards of the tournament. He stood out on the power play and penalty kill, was an aggressive forechecker who won more battles than he lost despite being 5-foot-9 and displayed his crafty playmaking ability with a pace of play that few could match. He proved he has a skill set that can’t be overlooked.
9. Nashville Predators: Tappara (Finland) center Oliver Suvanto
Suvanto feels like a center the Predators wouldn’t pass on at this point in the draft, regardless of where his talents rank among the top forwards in this class. His skating issues were the biggest factor preventing him from creating offense at the world juniors, but there’s still a ton to like about what he could bring to the NHL level with his defensive details, proficiency as a net-front presence and tenacious forechecking.
10. Utah Mammoth: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve
Villeneuve would bring an element of offense to the Mammoth’s defensive core that the team doesn’t have. He’s earned comparisons to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson with his dynamic skating ability, offensive deception and willingness to drive play from the back end. He projects as a high-end power-play quarterback at the NHL level and could put up strong production in a high-octane offensive system like Utah’s.
11. New Jersey Devils: Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin
The Devils could go in a few directions with this selection, considering their issues with preventing and generating offense this season. That said, Lin’s defensive maturity makes it hard to believe he’ll be on the board beyond this point in the draft. As trade rumors involving Dougie Hamilton continue to circulate, there could be some runway for Lin to develop and show off his offensive capabilities in this Devils’ system as well.
12. Ottawa Senators: Forfeited draft pick
The Ottawa Senators must forfeit this year’s draft pick after failing to disclose Evgenii Dadonov’s limited no-trade clause when they moved him to Vegas in 2021, leading to an invalidated trade between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks in 2022. They had to forfeit one first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026, and they already drafted Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler. If they trade for another first-rounder, they could use a winger.
13. Los Angeles Kings: Prince Albert (WHL) defenseman Daxon Rudolph
It’s no secret that the Kings’ defensive core is aging aside from Brandt Clarke and Mikey Anderson, so taking Rudolph here makes sense. Rudolph has been on an offensive tear as of late, going on a 13-game point streak in which he put up 11 goals and 24 points with the Prince Albert Raiders. That layer of offense could easily make him a top-10 pick on top of what he provides with his smooth skating, size and defensive ability.
14. San Jose Sharks: Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny
Novotny had a much better world juniors with Czechia than his three assists would indicate. He led the tournament in total shots and showed some playmaking flashes despite primarily making an impact in his forechecking and penalty-killing. The Sharks already have high-end offensive skill within their system and could use a player of Novotny’s defensive stature to round out what is already one of the top prospect pools in the NHL.
15. Chicago Blackhawks (via Florida): Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels
Much like Verhoeff, Carels was sheltered in his role with Team Canada, but he’s proven to be trusted in all on-ice situations at the WHL level. He’s great at defending on the rush and can problem-solve effectively when facing oncoming pressure. Offensively, he doesn’t shy away from jumping in the rush and creates chances for himself and others in a way that’s projectable in the NHL.
16. Seattle Kraken: Vancouver Giants (WHL) right wing Mathis Preston
Preston was recently traded to the Vancouver Giants and has fit seamlessly, putting up three points in his first two games. He provides a combination of speed, skill and compete that could have him be a top-six forward in the NHL. With some older players on the wing in Seattle, Preston could fit well within the Kraken’s organizational timeline and would be a great selection in this range.