NHL prospects, current and future, will showcase their talents at the 2026 World Juniors, which begin on December 26 in Minnesota. This event is a treat to watch every single year, and hockey fans get a firsthand glimpse into the world’s best younger players. In this blog, I will focus on the top prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Gavin McKenna, F, Canada
Gavin McKenna is the projected first overall pick in the ‘26 NHL Draft, and he will be looking to solidify that in Minnesota. The Yukon native is currently playing for Penn State, and he’s tallied 18 points in 16 games. McKenna has scored just four goals, though, and the transition from junior hockey to the NCAA hasn’t been easy. McKenna had just one point in the World Juniors last year, but he figures to play a massive role this month on the top line. At just 17, McKenna has the opportunity to prove his worth on the biggest stage against other elite prospects. Daily Faceoff notes that some scouts have questioned whether his move to the NCAA has produced the expected offensive explosion. McKenna acknowledges the chatter but says it “fires him up” and that this is a “growth year”. What to Watch For in His Game: Transition Dominance, Play‑driving vs. pure skill, Emotional leadership, and Chemistry with Canada’s young core.
McKenna’s hallmark is carrying pucks through the neutral zone with pace. Against older competition, scouts want to see if he can dictate tempo. He’s always had the hands. This tournament is about showing he can tilt the ice. Canada’s roster is younger than usual. McKenna’s ability to elevate linemates will be a major storyline. A dominant WJC could re‑establish him as the clear No. 1, separate him from Stenberg’s “safest pick” profile and cement him as the class’s elite transition driver. However, if he has a bad tournament, he could slide down to third in the draft rankings, with Verhoeff and Stenberg having amazing years.
Keaton Verhoeff, D, Canada
Canada’s roster is headlined by McKenna and Keaton Verhoeff, a right-handed defenseman who is currently starring at the University of North Dakota. Verhoeff is expected to be a top-five pick next summer, and he has some very impressive tools. The Alberta native had 45 points in 63 games last season for the Victoria Royals of the WHL before making the switch to NCAA hockey. He’s collected 11 points in 16 games so far for North Dakota, and although there have been some growing pains, he has the physical body right now to play in the NHL. Verhoeff is strong at both ends of the ice at 6-foot-4, and his game should translate nicely to the next level. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares in a larger role at the World Juniors. Multiple outlets identify Verhoeff as one of the three elite 2026 draft prospects who could go No. 1 overall — alongside Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg. This is extremely rare territory for a draft‑eligible defenseman at the World Juniors. Elite Prospects notes that Verhoeff making Canada’s WJC roster as a draft‑eligible blueliner would make him just the 13th defenseman since 2000 to do so. Verhoeff will likely play a top 4 role on the back-end, serving as a transitional driver from the back end, paired with a stabilizing veteran to free him up offensively. On the Power Play, he has a Heavy point‑shot threat and is a zone‑entry facilitator with his skating
At 6’4, he has the frame — scouts want to see assertiveness without overcommitting. The WJC is fast, if he processes at pace, he becomes the tournament’s top draft‑eligible defenseman.
Ivar Stenberg, F, Sweden
Stenberg’s stellar play this season has some believing he could go No. 2 overall behind McKenna. He’s been that good. The Swede has six goals and 18 assists in 25 games for Frölunda in the Swedish Hockey League, which leads the team. Stenberg is the full package offensively, and the World Juniors will be an opportunity for him to show he’s worthy of being a top-five selection. Stenberg will likely be a top-six option for the Swedes in Minnesota. Stenberg is one of Sweden’s featured forwards for the 2026 WJC. He’s surrounded by a strong supporting cast — Pettersson, Gastrin, Eriksson, Bjorck — but he’s the headliner. Stenberg is a Top‑line winger on Sweden, a primary transition carrier and Sweden’s most dangerous east‑west creator. On the Powerplay, he’s a half‑wall distributor and is expected to run Sweden’s offensive rhythm. He’s a Must‑Watch player because he’s the most polished forward in the 2026 class: USA Today calls him the top-ranked prospect heading into the tournament. and is a legitimate No. 1 pick candidate Yahoo Sports lists him as one of the three players who could go first overall. The Hockey Writers note Sweden is returning to North America looking to rebound after missing the podium last year — and Stenberg is central to that push. A Strong World Juniors performance could solidify Stenberg as the number 1 overall prospect, especially if McKenna and
Verhoeff has subpar performances.
Adam Novotny, F, Czechia
Currently plying his trade for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes, Novotny is expected to be a first-rounder next summer, and he’s the top NHL draft prospect from Czechia. The 18-year-old is putting up impressive numbers for Peterborough, scoring 19 goals and tallying 16 assists in 29 appearances. This is Novotny’s first season playing in North America, and he’s thriving in one of the best junior hockey leagues around. Novotny was young in last year’s World Juniors and didn’t have a prominent role, but that’s likely to change in the ‘26 edition as he now has more experience. Novotny helped Czechia win bronze at the previous World Juniors, and he’s returning with a bigger role and higher expectations. He’s one of the few Czech forwards with real WJC experience, giving him a leadership and usage advantage. Novotny enters Minnesota as one of the most prominent forwards in the entire draft‑eligible group, alongside McKenna and Stenberg. Novotony is a top 6 forward, primary scoring treat for Czechia and is likely used as a zone entry carrier on his line. On the Powerplay, he is the focal shooter on the flank, as a one-touch finisher and bumper slot option. Scouts will be watching to see if that finishing ability in the OHL holds up against elite U20 defenders. The WJC is faster and heavier than the OHL. and how he handles contact will shape his draft stock.The Hockey News notes he’s a projected first‑rounder expected to play at the WJC — but consistency will determine whether he rises into the top‑5 conversation.
Juho Piiparinen, D, Finland
Juh Piiparinen isn’t a high-profile name by any means, but his play this season has inserted him into the first-round conversation. The Finnish defenseman has a plus-8 rating for Tappara in Liiga, Finland’s top hockey league. He’s a smart player with decent size at 6-foot-1. He’s a very good skater who is definitely more defensive-minded, but he does a lot of the little things right. Piiparinen will be a key figure for Finland as they look to improve upon a silver medal last year. Piiparinen has a classic “tools‑heavy riser” profile — the kind of defenseman who can jump 10+ spots with a strong WJC.Daily Faceoff reports Finland is without Konsta Helenius, their top offensive weapon, who is staying in the AHL. This shifts more responsibility onto Finland’s structure — and onto defenders like Piiparinen. Finland’s identity this year is defense‑first, system‑driven, and Piiparinen fits that mold perfectly. He’ll likely be a second pair defenseman, trusted for defensive-zone starts, key puck‑retrieval and breakout responsibilities. Juho is a strong candidate for the PK and Finland values length and mobility on the kill — Piiparinen checks both boxes. Finland’s roster is deep on forwards but thinner on high‑end defense prospects, which increases his usage probability. The WJC is a major jump from Liiga pace — scouts want to see if his feet and reads hold up. His value lies in clean exits. Finland’s system depends on defenders who can transition under pressure. At 6’3″, he has the frame — scouts want to see assertiveness without overcommitting. A strong WJC could push him into the top‑10 conversation, cement him as the top Finnish defense prospect in the class and showcase his pro‑ready defensive game on a global stage.
Tynan Lawrence, F, Canada
Most scouts and experts place Tynan Lawrence firmly in the top‑four tier of 2026 prospects heading into the World Juniors. He’s one of the highest‑rated Canadian forwards in the entire class. This makes him one of the headline draft‑eligible players at the tournament. Lawrence enters the WJC with one of the strongest pre‑tournament résumés: Captain of Muskegon (USHL), 54 points in 56 games last season, 18 points in 14 playoff games during the title run and the Playoff MVP. Lawrence is a high‑tempo, competitive forward who rejected CHL/NCAA shifts to stay in the USHL and bet on his development path. He’s a driver, not a passenger — the kind of player who pushes pace and elevates linemates. His game is built on speed and tempo — scouts want to see if it holds up against elite teams like USA, Sweden, and Finland. At 6’0″, 185 lbs, he’s strong enough — but scouts want to see assertiveness in board battles. He’s been consistent in the USHL but will his success carryover to the WJC, moreover, what will his role be on his team? A strong WJC could cement him as a top‑10 lock, push him into the top‑five conversation and establish him as the premier Canadian forward in the 2026 class not named McKenna. Given his production and leadership résumé, he’s one of the highest‑upside risers in the draft.
Carson Carels, D, Canada
The defensive combo of Verhoeff and Carels will be elite for Canada. Carels is currently playing for the Prince George Cougars, and he’s an offensive-minded D-man. He has 29 points this season, tallying 21 helpers while scoring eight goals. Carels is already a very mature player at 6’1 and 202 pounds. He also has a chance at going top-15 in the draft. Sportsnet reports that Carels was not expected to be in the mix this early, but he “beat the odds” to earn a spot at Canada’s World Junior camp. Daily Faceoff describes Carels as a “monster” prospect and highlights his upbringing and work ethic as major drivers of his rise. At just 17 years old, he impressed Hockey Canada with his maturity and two‑way game, an extremely rare territory for a draft‑eligible defenseman. Scoring 29 points in 28 WHL— nearly a point‑per‑game pace for a 17‑year‑old defenseman, makes him a riser on draft boards. Carels has a 6’2″, 194 lbs frame, strong skating base, physical edge, high work ethic from his farm upbringing and confident puck‑mover with defensive reliability. This is the exact archetype Hockey Canada loves in young defenders. A strong WJC could cement him as a top‑10 contender, establish him as one of the best defense prospects in the 2026 class and showcase his physical and transitional game on a global stage.
Carels Smith, D, Latvia
Daily Faceoff lists Carels Smits (also spelled Alberts Smits / Alberts Šmits) as one of the Top 10 prospects to watch at the 2026 World Juniors. That places him in the same conversation as McKenna, Stenberg, Verhoeff, and Novotny — elite company for a Latvian defender. Elite Prospects lists him as a 6’3, 205 lb, left shot defenseman, who is of the offensive defenseman archetype. Latvia’s top defenseman play a lot of minutes at the World Juniors, so expect him to
their top pair defenseman, playing heavy minutes against top nations, serving as their primary puck mover and breakout option. On the Powerplay, he has a big shot from the point and Lavia runs their offense through him. He also gets PK1 time due to his size, reach and mobility. Since Latvia leans heavily on its top defenders- Smits will play 25+ minutes in competitive games. A strong WJC could cement him as a top‑10 pick, establish him as the best defenseman outside the Big 3 nations and make him the highest‑drafted Latvian player in history.
Chase Reid, D, USA
There are no guarantees Reid will be selected for the United States’ final World Juniors roster, but he’s worth including on this list. A projected top-10 pick, Reid is playing in the OHL right now after suiting up in the North American Hockey League for part of last season. Reid is a brilliant playmaking defenseman who has already registered 21 helpers in 31 games in 2025-26. He just turned 18, but Reid’s skillset looks NHL-ready in several ways. The Hockey News calls Reid a “projected first‑rounder” for the 2026 NHL Draft and highlights that he is one of the highest‑scoring defensemen in the OHL, despite not yet having a full season under his belt. He has gone from overlooked to legitimate top‑round talent in under a year. A 6’2, right shot defenseman, who was originally a forward before switching to defense, giving him natural offensive instincts. This background explains why he’s become such a dynamic puck‑mover and point producer. He’s a natural puck‑carrier. Clean exits under pressure will be a major evaluation point. If he runs PP2 effectively, he strengthens his first‑round case. A strong WJC could cement him as a top‑20 pick, push him into the top‑10 conversation if he flashes two‑way growth and establish him as one of the premier RHD in the 2026 class.
Viggo Bjorck, F, Sweden
Stenberg isn’t the only potential first-rounder on the Sweden roster. Bjorck may be small at 5- foot-9, but he’s a very dangerous offensive player. Bjorck has eight points in his first season in the Swedish Hockey League and played a crucial role in helping the Swedes win silver at the U18 World Championships last year, tallying eight points as well. A lot of mock drafts have him going in the top-15. How he performs in the World Juniors will be important for his stock.
NHL.com reports that Bjorck is a potential first‑round pick for the 2026 NHL Draft, grouped with Ivar Stenberg as one of Sweden’s top draft‑eligible forwards. This means he enters the WJC as one of the headline draft‑eligible players in the entire tournament. NHL.com notes that both Stenberg and Bjorck are still “smarting” from Sweden’s 7–0 loss to Canada in the 2025 U18 World Championship final; that loss is a major emotional driver for him heading into Minnesota. Scouts at the World Juniors will want to see if that scoring touch translates against top nations. His game is built on speed and competitiveness; the WJC is the perfect environment to showcase that. At 5’10”, 172 lbs, scouts want to see how he handles contact against older U20 players. A strong WJC could push him firmly into the top‑20 conversation, establish him as Sweden’s No. 2 draft‑eligible forward behind Stenberg and showcase his scoring ability on a global stage.
Ethan MacKenzie, D, Canada
Ethan Mackenzie entered Canada’s World Junior Championship training camp as a notable outlier on the roster: the only undrafted 19-year-old invited, and a player whose inclusion reflects steady, measurable progress. The 6-foot-1, 189-pound defenseman has produced 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 30 games for Edmonton in the WHL, pairing that offense with a strong plus-22 rating that underscores his reliability away from the puck. Mackenzie’s game is built on pace, positional awareness, and consistent puck support, allowing him to contribute effectively in all three zones without needing sheltered usage. While he lacks the draft pedigree of many peers in camp, his combination of size, work rate, and situational trust has put him squarely on Hockey Canada’s radar. At 6’1″, 189 lbs, he’s a right‑shot defenseman with high‑end mobility, strong puck‑moving instincts, and a mature, reliable defensive game. Elite Prospects emphasizes that he has a “strong claim to the best defenseman in the WHL right now”. This is the exact archetype Canada rarely gets from an undrafted player. A strong WJC could make him a legitimate NHL Draft re‑entry candidate, cement him as one of the best over‑age defensemen in the CHL, and showcase his late‑bloomer trajectory to NHL teams. He’s one of the highest‑variance players in the entire tournament — and one of the most compelling stories.
Oliver Suvanto, F, Finland
Oliver Suvanto has quietly carved out a meaningful role for Tappara in Liiga, an uncommon achievement for a 17-year-old forward competing in one of Europe’s most demanding professional leagues. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound center has recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in 30 games while averaging 12:56 of ice time per night. Rated an A skater on Central Scouting’s Players to Watch list, Suvanto plays a composed, detail-oriented two-way game built on structure, positioning, and puck responsibility. His willingness to engage defensively and handle center-ice duties is underscored by a 49.2 percent face-off success rate, further separating him from typical junior-aged peers. Suvanto as one of the notable Finnish players entering the tournament, part of a group that consistently overachieves on the world stage. Finland’s identity this year is built around structure, depth and two‑way reliability; Suvanto fits that mold perfectly. Suvanto’s a strong defensive habits, reliable in all three zones, high‑IQ support player; he’s effective in transition and Plays a mature, pro‑style game. Suvanto is not the flashiest Finnish forward — but he’s one of the most trusted. A Strong Performance in the World Juniors could make him a top 20 pick due to his high Hockey IQ and reliability in all three zones; he is the perfect player to add to a contending team
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