McKenna remains the undisputed centerpiece of this draft class, having maintained the #1 overall projection for three consecutive seasons. After a historic WHL tenure (244 points in 133 games) and a productive transition to the NCAA, his offensive ceiling is the highest in the class. He is one the most naturally gifted playmakers we’ve seen in years, defined by elite vision and a supreme level of confidence with the puck.

While his skill is undeniable, his NHL impact will likely be determined by his environment and his ability to work on his game off the puck. To maximize his output, he requires a high motor play driver and a clinical finisher. There is a legitimate developmental concern regarding a "perimeter first" tendency. If he isn't paired with a linemate who can win puck battles and penetrate the middle of the ice, McKenna’s high end creativity risks being neutralized at the professional level. McKenna’s projection hinges on his willingness to migrate his creative game from the perimeter to the interior. If he adds a layer of this and begins attacking the guts of the ice more consistently, he will evolve from a high-end facilitator into a truly unstoppable elite driver at the NHL level.

Stenberg is the most complete forward in this class, offering a blend of elite hockey sense and consistency that will translate to his future in the NHL. Having spent the full season playing against men in the SHL, Stenberg has developed a phenomenal two-way game which is rare for an 18 year old. He finished the season with 33 points in 43 games, the highest scoring mark for a U19 player in the SHL since the Sedin twins in 1999.

Unlike more perimeter oriented skill players, Stenberg isn’t afraid to get to the front of the net. He often finds himself uncontested on his strong side where he feasts on tap ins. He isn't just a passenger on a veteran team, he is a primary play driver who makes high level defensive reads and contributes to winning hockey even when he isn't on the scoresheet. He projects as a high-floor, top-six forward who can be trusted in all situations.

Björck is an elite offensive play driver whose draft stock suffers due to a 5'10" frame, yet he remains the second most skilled player in this class. Before joining the SHL, Bjorck has dominated every age group he has come across. He shattered the J18 Nationell single season points record with 98 points in 37 games as a 15 year old, & setting the J20 Nationell single season points record with 74 points in 42 games. Achieving these feats at 15/16 years old is a testament to his natural offensive motor. Despite the size disadvantage, Björck is a tenacious competitor who refuses to be pushed to the perimeter of the ice and has a surprisingly strong “base” for his age. He spent the 2025-26 proving his game translates to the professional level, carving out a regular role in the SHL and demonstrating a rare ability to dictate the pace of play against grown men.

His game is built on "quick-twitch" shiftiness and an elite hockey IQ that allows him to freeze defenders and exploit passing lanes that others don't even register. While his SHL production (15 points in 42 games) was respectable for a 17 year old, his underlying metrics, international dominance & J18 & J20 campaigns suggest a much higher offensive ceiling. He is a “bet on skill” prospect who projects as a dynamic top-six playmaker and a power play specialist.

Malhotra is the "utility" center of the 2026 class, projecting as a high-end 200-foot pivot with a remarkably mature defensive toolkit. Similar to Stenberg, he prioritizes structured play, but he pairs it with an offensive ceiling that caught many by surprise this season, finishing with 84 points in 67 games and having a very strong playoff run with Brantford. He is the general of his line, providing the defensive coverage and puck-retrieval that allows his wingers to take offensive risks.

The primary issue for Malhotra is the physical "catch up." Although still 17, He currently possesses a slender 6'2 frame that lacks the explosive power and leg strength needed for elite NHL separation. While his straight-line speed is functional, his lateral agility and first-step quickness require significant refinement to handle the pace of a pro-level transition. However, considering his bloodlines and work ethic, there is high confidence that he will fill out his frame and bridge the skating gap. He projects as a reliable, middle-six matchup center who can contribute on both special teams.

Carels is a premium, modern day defenseman who plays with the sterotypical rugged "farm boy" style & intensity. Standing at 6'2" and over 200 lbs, he possesses a projectable pro frame. He dominated the WHL this season with 73 points in 58 games, proving that his offensive ceiling is just as high as his defensive floor. He is a "better keep your head up" defender who uses his mobility to close gaps quickly and his strength to physically separate opponents from the puck.

What separates Carels is his dual threat capability. He acted as Prince George’s power play quarterback while simultaneously handling the most difficult shutdown assignments. He plays exceptionally hard on both sides of the puck and doesn't sacrifice defensive integrity for offensive production. While I wasn’t high on his 2026 World Junior debut, he showed some room for growth in decision making under extreme pressure, his raw tools and competitive fire make him a lock for a top-pairing role. He projects as a cornerstone, minute munching, every situation defenseman who can anchor an organization.

Šmits is arguably the most NHL ready defenseman in this class, characterized by a rare blend of massive size (6'3", 205 lbs) and high-end mobility. After a strong showing in the Finnish Liiga with Jukurit, his mid season move to the DEL showcased a player who can step into a professional environment and immediately impact the pace of play. He was the undisputed engine for his Latvian team at the 2026 World Juniors, leading the tournament in ice time (23:40 per game) while serving as their primary transition machine.

His game is defined by his physical presence. He uses his reach and leverage to close gaps and effectively separate opponents from the puck. Šmits has a sneaky significant offensive upside, led by an intelligent first pass and a knack for getting heavy shots through traffic. He projects as a high-end, all-situations defender. Given his experience against men in Finland, Germany, and the Olympics, he is one of the few prospects who could realistically challenge for NHL minutes as early as next season.

Reid is an elite puck moving defenseman who has rapidly climbed into the top of this class. He is the definition of "modern mobility," playing with a level of poise and escapability that makes him hard to pin down in the defensive zone. After a breakout season in the OHL where he showcased high end offensive production, he proved his mettle on the international stage, consistently eating 20+ minutes a night against the world's best U20 talent.

His game is built on elite hockey IQ and an "effortless glide" that allows him to transition from defense to offense quickly. While he isn't the most punishing physical presence, he uses his stick and positioning to neutralize opponents, although I worry about his defensive instincts & reads at the NHL level. That side of his game needs work. He projects as a top-pairing defenseman who can quarterback a power play.

Verhoeff remains one of the most physically imposing prospects in the class, though he slots slightly lower here than on consensus boards. His decision to move to the NCAA early is an admirable move for his long term professional development, but the jump has put his footspeed and puck management under a significant microscope. While he could have put up big numbers in the WHL, the faster pace of college hockey has exposed some rawness in his transitional game.

Despite those growing pains, Verhoeff possesses natural offensive instincts that are rare for a player of his stature. He has a heavy shot that he consistently gets through traffic, and he shows surprising poise when making plays in the offensive zone. While he currently struggles with the speed of elite college forechecks, his reach and active stick remain high-end tools for killing plays. He projects as a high-ceiling shutdown defenseman who, once his feet catch up to his frame, can anchor a top-four pairing and chip in on the secondary power play.

Lawrence is a high motor, versatile center whose 2025-26 season was a whirlwind. After producing well in the USHL with 17 points in just 13 games, Lawrence made an aggressive mid-season jump to BU. While he initially struggled with the physical pace of Hockey East, his "second half" surge proved he belongs in the elite tier of this draft. He is a tenacious, 200 foot play driver who pairs high-end skating with a ferocious competitive edge that coaches love.

His greatest strength is his ability to impact the game off the puck. He is an relentless forechecker and a reliable defensive presence who anticipates play exceptionally well. While his raw NCAA production (7 points in 18 games) was modest, his late-season play showed a player who had finally adjusted to the NCAA pace. If he can bridge the gap between his high-end work rate and consistent offensive finishing, he projects as a high-impact, middle-six NHL center who can be deployed in any situation.

Novotny is a smooth, physically dominant winger who thrives in the "dirty areas" of the ice. Standing 6'1" and 205 lbs, he already possesses a pro frame that allows him to win leverage battles in front of the net and along the boards. He led the Peterborough Petes in scoring as an OHL rookie, largely due to his relentless pursuit of the puck and his willingness to pay the price at the goal mouth to clean up loose pucks and rebounds.

Beyond his grit, Novotny possesses sneaky skill that catches defenders off guard. He is a powerful skater with a thick lower half, giving him a strong base to protect the puck while driving the net. His shot is legitimate, he has a deceptive release that can beat goalies clean from the dots, but his bread & butter is the high-danger area. While his playmaking is still a work in progress, tending to default to a shot-first mentality, his competitive fire and two-way responsibility make him one of the high floor prospects. He projects as a prototypical top-six power forward who can provide a net-front presence on a top power-play unit.