The Athletic’s Hockey Show Prospect Series recently unveiled a joint top‑10 ranking for the 2026 NHL Draft, compiled by a panel of veteran analysts.
A Consensus Top Ten
The list was shaped by the insights of Corey Pronman, Scott Wheeler, Max Bultman and Chris Peters, who debated the merits of each prospect before reaching a shared conclusion.
At the summit, Gavin McKenna emerged as the most recognizable name, followed by Ivar Stenberg, whose 33‑point production in the SHL as a U19 player set a historic benchmark, and Chase Reid, whose ascent from the NAHL to the OHL’s elite defensive corps captured the panel’s imagination.
Carson Carels drew comparisons to Jake Sanderson and Charlie McAvoy, while Albert Šmits impressed with stints against men in Liiga, the DEL playoffs and even the Olympics, underscoring his readiness for the next level.
Beyond the top three
Caleb Malhotra, son of former NHLer Manny Malhotra, was labeled the class’s No. 1 centre by Wheeler, while Viggo Björck earned praise for his contributions to Sweden’s World Championship squad and his relentless competitive drive.
Keaton Verhoeff’s college output at 17 placed him in the same conversation as Zach Werenski and Noah Hanifin, and Daxon Rudolph’s toolkit invited parallels to Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley.
The final position was ultimately awarded to Malte Gustafsson, though Wyatt Cullen, Ethan Belchetz and Ryan Lin also received strong nominations, reflecting the depth of the class.
Throughout the discussion, the panel highlighted the compromises inherent in drafting, noting that each prospect’s unique profile required careful weighing of upside, risk and team fit.