McKenna, Stenberg lead NHL Central Scouting’s final 2026 NHL Draft rankings
The anticipation for the 2026 NHL Draft continues to grow.
On Thursday, NHL Central Scouting released its final rankings for the upcoming draft, with big names like Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna and Frolunda FC winger Iver Stenberg leading the pack.
McKenna is the consensus No. 1 pick heading into this year’s draft, thanks to an incredible freshman season at PSU, showing that the transition from the Canadian Hockey League to NCAA hockey is possible and can certainly boost your stock. He finished tied for fifth in the nation in scoring with 51 points in just 35 games, with his 1.46 points per game placing him second behind Tim Taylor Award winner and Quinnipiac freshman Ethan Wyttenbach (1.48).
Stenberg, the top-ranked European skater, had an incredible season with Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League, delivering one of the best performances by an under-19 player in the league in some time. He also played a key role in helping Sweden win the gold medal at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, and is giving McKenna a solid run for his money as the top prospect heading into the draft.
Other names to watch out for in the opening round of the draft are Soo Greyhounds defenseman Chase Reid (NA-#2) and EHC Red Bull Munchen defender Alberts Smits (EU-#2).
Who will be tasked with deciding whether to take Stenberg or McKenna will be determined next month. The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery is scheduled for May 5. Thanks to an absolutely terrible season, the Vancouver Canucks hold the best odds to be granted the No. 1 pick in June. With a .358 points percentage, the team has a 25.5 percent chance of winning the lottery. The Chicago Blackhawks are right behind them with a 13.5 percent chance of picking first overall. Rounding out the top five are the Calgary Flames (11.5%), New York Rangers (9.5%) and Toronto Maple Leafs (8.5%)
The 2026 NHL Draft is set to take place at KeyBank Center, the home of the Buffalo Sabres. The first round is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on June 26, with the final six rounds taking place the following day, starting at 10 a.m. ET.