The 2026 NHL Draft is already generating buzz as three players — Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra — are being touted as the class’s top prospects.
A Mentor’s Influence
McKenna opted to spend his draft year in the NCAA, where he found the pace more manageable yet still demanding. After a stint at the World Junior tournament his confidence surged, and he began seeking counsel from 2023 first‑overall pick Connor Bedard, who helped him handle media scrutiny while staying grounded.
Bedard’s advice proved pivotal, giving McKenna a clearer sense of what it takes to transition from college to the professional stage.
Stenberg, who recently competed at the World Championships, admits the experience was a mixed bag but valuable. He says his greatest asset is a high hockey IQ, a trait he believes will translate well to the NHL’s speed and skill.
Malhotra credits much of his development to his father, who taught him foundational skills and continues to be a steady presence. He has even floated the idea of his dad taking on a coaching role, describing the prospect as both special and professionally rewarding. On the ice Malhotra describes himself as a two‑way player, reliable offensively and defensively, and adaptable to multiple situations.