Sportsnet's 2026 NHL Draft Rankings: January Edition

For the second consecutive time, we have a new number one in our rankings.

Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg takes over the top spot and for a more detailed breakdown of how he climbed up there, check out the latest from colleague Jason Bukala.

In September we were looking at Gavin McKenna going wire-to-wire as the game’s top-rated draft-eligible prospect. But Stenberg has put up historical numbers with Frolunda in the SHL. While McKenna has performed admirably in college hockey, there was a noticeable gap between Stenberg and McKenna at the WJC.  

Before joining Sweden’s junior national team, Stenberg put up an incredible 24 points in 25 games in the SHL, Sweden's top pro league. That set the tone for what we witnessed in Minnesota. Stenberg put up at least a point in six of the seven games he played and he saved his best for the most important games.

His goal and assist effort in the semis eliminated rival Finland and he added another goal and two helpers in the gold medal win over Czechia.

But it wasn't just his point production. Stenberg was on the ice in every important situation for Sweden in those last two games. His whole body of work this season, in league play and internationally, has led to him taking over the top spot.

While my history covering NHL Drafts goes back 15 or so years, I can’t recall a world junior tournament that had so many exceptional draft eligible players. As much as half the players who will be called up in the first round of the NHL Draft in Buffalo will have played in this year's WJC.

Stenberg, Canada’s Keaton Verhoeff and McKenna are expected to be the top three picks off the board in June. Others such as American Chase Reid, Latvian Alberts Smits, Canadian Carson Carels and Czechia’s Adam Novotny will all garner top 10 consideration.  

In the meantime there is additional intrigue around another top talent, Tynan Lawrence, who moved from USHL Muskegon to NCAA Boston University midway through the season. On my list today Lawrence remains outside of consideration for the No. 1 overall pick, but scouts will now have an apples to apples comparison between him, McKenna and Verhoeff. Lawrence was held pointless in his first two collegiate games.

There are plenty of others to discuss, and for that, I present my January NHL Draft Rankings. 

No. 1: Ivar Stenberg, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Frolunda (SHL)

An absolutely brilliant performance at the world juniors has vaulted Stenberg to the top of this list. He competes like it's his last day. He carries the puck with swagger and has the confidence and poise to execute difficult plays. Stenberg also shoots the puck extremely well with plenty of pace. The numbers are important in this ranking, but his extensive 200-foot game and his high level compete are the things separating him from the crowd at the current time. 

No. 2: Keaton Verhoeff, RD, 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, North Dakota (NCAA)

Was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the world juniors, but got in the lineup at the most important time for Canada and contributed an assist in the bronze medal game. Once he got settled into the lineup and adjusted to his limited role, he did show a lot of the things that have made him successful as a college freshman.  He handles the puck well and is a threat offensively. Verhoeff is more successful as a defender when the game is more predictable, as it is in college. Footspeed isn’t a major concern, but is something that will have to improve moving forward. He does have the agility to walk the blue line and make plays in small areas, which indicate the straight line speed will come with increased strength.  

No. 3: Gavin McKenna, LW, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Penn State (NCAA)

Has lightning quick hands that operate well in tight spaces. His playmaking remains his strongest asset. McKenna knows what his next play is before he gets the puck. He finished second in world junior scoring with 14 points, which can’t be overlooked.  Admittedly, McKenna took his game to the NCAA to work on off-puck play and becoming a better defender. The end results of that move are still a work in progress. Clearly, McKenna is at his best when the puck is on his stick and when he’s surrounded by like-minded offensive individuals. A dynamic offensive talent with work to do when he doesn’t have the puck. 

No. 4: Caleb Malhotra, C, 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

In terms of pure physical stature, Malhotra has the most room to gain of anyone inside the top 10. As such, he becomes more of a projection player. What scouts like right now is his attention to detail defensively and his overall awareness of what is required of him on any given night. From a numbers perspective, he is amongst the league leaders in power-play, penalty-kill and plus-minus categories. He also checks the box with six game winners, top three in the OHL. Either Malhotra or Tynan Lawrence (listed next) will be the first centre off the board.

No. 5: Tynan Lawrence, C, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Boston University (NCAA)

In a surprise move Lawrence changed course, leaving USHL Muskegon to join  Boston University for the remainder of the season. Macklin Celebrini’s success after a year at BU was enticing enough for Lawrence to turn his development over to Jay Pandolfo. After a great 16-year-old regular season, and electric playoffs leading to Muskegon’s first ever Clark Cup, Lawrence felt like there was little left to prove in the USHL and that the NCAA would help hasten his development. This a move that mirrors what Verhoeff and McKenna have done, giving scouts a direct comparison. Is Lawrence ready for the next challenge in his career? Only time will tell. 

No. 6: Chase Reid, RD,  6-foot-2, 188 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhonds (OHL)

He was most noticeable after Washington prospect Cole Hutson had to leave the lineup to injury during the world juniors. In just over a year’s time Reid's game has transcended the NAHL, the OHL and now the world juniors. Reid is an elite skater and passer. He can quarterback a power play effectively and is always a threat on the rush. The adversity he has faced is not just a nice story, but a key factor in how he is viewed in the scouting community. Even bigger things are expected out of him in a second half where the Hounds are expected to contend for an OHL title. 

No. 7: Viggo Bjorck, RW, 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, Djurgardens (SHL)

Because of his size, there will be a number of teams that shy away from Bjorck, and that may prove to be a mistake. Bjorck was the most pleasant surprise at the world juniors. He was leaned on in every situation and took every big draw for gold medal-winning Sweden. Yes, he missed four breakaways in the semifinal game, but he was relied on to play more than half the overtime period before the Swedes finally won in the shootout. Bjorck finished the event with nine points and won over 54 per cent of his faceoffs. Bjorck is constantly pursuing pucks with vigour, and he is a responsible player in all three zones. He competes hard and isn’t deterred by his smaller stature -- in fact, he has a powerful lower half that surprises unsuspecting opponents in board battles.  

No. 8: Carson Carels, LD, 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Carels is like a security blanket: you feel safe and comfortable when he’s out on the ice. He battled through the adversity of not playing in two of Canada’s preliminary round games at the world juniors, to accepting a third/fourth pairing role when the games mattered most. That is not easy for someone who basically plays half the game with his club team in Prince George. Carels never deviated from his identity despite his limited role and that adaptability will carry him a long way in the scouting community. 

No. 9: Ethan Belchetz, LW, 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Belchetz took a minor step back with his showing at the 2025 CHL/USA Prospects Challenge in Alberta. He wasn’t as assertive as expected, nor did he display the type of skill we have come to know from his game in Windsor. He had a hard time producing points in the immediate eight-game segment after those showcases, but looks to be back on track now. Windsor will face serious competition in the OHL’s Western Conference and Belchetz’s play down the stretch will help shape his draft stock. He will always be an attractive specimen because of the size and skill combination, but he will have to answer the bell as games become harder into the playoffs.

No. 10: Alberts Smits, LD, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds Jukurit (Liiga)

Played four minutes more per game at the world juniors than anyone else on the team, but never looked tired. Smits can come off looking lackadaisical in his play, but don’t be fooled by the facade as he is highly competitive. He is the only first-year draft eligible player on an Olympic roster and it will be fascinating to see how he handles the stress of that responsibility if he gets regular minutes. Should he pass that test with flying colours, his spot on this list will rise next time around. 

No. 11: Daxon Rudolph, RD, 6-foot-3, 206 pounds, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Believed to be a prototypical two-way defenceman at the start of the year, Rudolph has since leaned more into the production side of things. He’s been on a tear on the title-contending Prince Albert Raiders, having put forth 11 multi-point efforts in his past 14 games. It’s not all about the points for Rudolph, though. He is more than a capable defender who consumes big minutes, something he should be able to do at the next level as well.

No. 12: Ryan Lin, RD, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL) 

When he gets healthy againp, and that could be a while after getting injured on the weekend, Lin will have another great option in Mathis Preston to help bring more offence to the Giants. Appraised alone, Lin’s skating defines his play. He has fancy edge-work, great straight-line speed and he can dance the blue line with ease. Lin also moves pucks efficiently and has the ability to run a first-unit power play. His size will limit his likability compared to those above him in this draft class.  

No. 13: Adam Novotny, LW, 6-foot-1, 204 pounds, Peterborough Petes (OHL)

For most of the world juniors, Novotny looked a step off compared to how he had been playing in Peterborough. Although he rarely missed an opportunity to shoot the puck, Novotny didn’t seem like himself until later in the tournament. He rebounded to leave a lasting impression despite Czechia falling to Sweden in the gold medal game. He played a robust 19:37 with three shots on goal, featuring prominently at the net front on the power play. He hounded pucks and used his frame to get leverage on opponents just as we see most nights in the OHL.

No. 14: Oscar Hemming, LW, 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)  

The drama has subsided at least for now. Hemming, who was supposed to play for OHL Kitchener this season, didn't get a release from his Finnish club so now he's with BC. Just after his two-game debut at the end of December, one scout recently quipped to me, “have you planned to see Boston College yet?” After a five month layoff, Hemming didn’t look out of place, and he can only get better. He’s not overwhelmed by anything the NCAA game has thrown at him, albeit it's a short sample size of just the two games. He will be worth tracking to see if he can make a run for the top 10.  

No. 15: Ilia Morozov, C, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Miami (NCAA)

As an August-born player, Morozov and Tynan Lawrence are the youngest players in college hockey. He’s playing just under 20 minutes per game and has produced 14 points in Miami’s 22 games. He exhibits a long and powerful stride that allows him to close quickly when hounding pucks, but also is used as an asset on the rush. He does a good job finding space and being available in the offensive zone. He will power his way to the net and has a good one-timer further out from it. 

No. 16: Marcus Nordmark, RW, 6-foot-2, 187 pounds, Djurgardens (Sweden J20)

Nordmark is a mover and shaker who has worked his way up the ranks and got a recent four-game audition in the SHL, recording his first ever SHL point with an assist in a 4-3 loss in which he played just under 11 minutes. He does a good job not tipping off whether he's going to shoot or pass while in motion with the puck on his stick. Nordmark displays an all-around game, and is a dual threat offensively. There are times when it looks like he’s not engaged, but that cerebral part of his game is more about efficiency than lack of effort. 

No. 17: Elton Hermansson, RW, 6-foot-1, 181 pounds, MoDo (Allsvenskan)

He has adapted well since his promotion to the Allsvenskan in early December, making the most of his erratic usage. Hermansson has put up five of his 15 points in the last four games. Should this continue, he’s liable to shoot up this list just as he has shot up NHL Central Scouting’s list after being identified as Europe’s fourth ranked skater.  

No. 18: Xavier Villeneuve, LD, 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Despite getting unseated as the top-scoring draft eligible defenceman, Villeneuve still gets high marks for his relentless compete. He wants the puck in big moments and can control the game with excellent skating and stick handling ability that makes him a threat on exits and entries. The question surrounding this player is: does his compete, risk and offensive upside outweigh his smaller size, and can it translate to the next level? 

No. 19: Oliver Suvanto, C, 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, Tappara (Liiga)

At first glance Suvanto looks like a pro player. He’s not elite in any area other than his shooting. He skates well, has a decent set of hands and can play in a variety of situations. He is strong on his skates and uses his thick frame to ward off anyone trying to defend him. He has net front presence and can work the corners as well. He pays attention to his defensive responsibilities and is happy to engage in any and all physical confrontations. Suvanto is at his best when he’s checking hard and not giving up space, but also applying his skills to be a threat offensively. It’s more about rounding out his game and polishing up his skills that are already in place. It is notable that he is one of the younger players available in this draft. The additional developmental runway is a plus.   

No. 20: William Hakansson, LD, 6-foot-4, 207 pounds, Lulea (SHL)

He will show flashes of a player who is likely to produce secondary offence once he’s settled into his NHL career. Hakansson can maintain good gap control with his smooth skating and agility. He is big already, but still looks like a player who can likely add weight and more strength to his frame. Right now he leans a little more as a complementary player as someone who should be able to eat major minutes because of his efficient stride. He is equally as good moving pucks quickly out of the zone as he is patiently transporting the puck to safe areas before moving it. He is thoughtful as to when and when not to join the rush.  

No. 21: J.P. Hurlbert, LW, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Hurlbert is a volume shooter and at time of writing, his 183 shots taken ranked third in all of the CHL. Having said that, he is amongst the top five in assists in the WHL. Hurlbert has since been passed in the WHL scoring race, but it will be a battle down the stretch with a number of players close to the league lead. He likely should’ve garnered more attention for a spot on the US world junior team, but leaving the USNTDP didn’t help his cause.  

No. 22: Juho Piiparinen, RD, 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, Tappara (Liiga)

Because he’s played so well in Liiga, there was an expectation of greatness at the world juniors. While he wasn't at his very best there, he still acquitted himself well in a third pairing role. At times the pace looked to be challenging for him as he was delayed in making some puck decisions that ultimately led to turnovers. Part of that can be attributed to the unpredictable nature of the junior game as opposed to the more structured environment he's accustomed to in Liiga play. Although he was scratched for a couple of the world junior games, he still managed 13:30 per game, with an assist and impressive plus-6 rating.  

No. 23: Pierce Mbuyi, LW, 5-foot-11, 168 pounds, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

After winning OHL Rookie of the Year, Mbuyi was highly thought of in the pre-season, making a number of first-round projection lists. However, a pedestrian Hlinka-Gretzky tournament and a slow first week of the OHL season saw him slip out of consideration. Being left off the CHL/USA Prospects roster was a setback that seemed to inspire him. First week not included, Mbuyi has had a dynamite season wearing an “A” and putting up better than point-per-game numbers. He’s a worker who is a little light on size, but rarely on effort. He thinks the game well and has the required skill to play a middle six role at the next level.  

No. 24: Brooks Rogowski, C, 6-foot-7, 232 pounds, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Length and range are all the rage in the NHL these days. Although he’s not a perfect player for his size, there’s a lot of value for someone you can see playing a number of roles and generally just being an obstacle opponents must try to avoid. Rogowski is of course, more than that. All of the skills required to play centre in the NHL are present, and as he continues to grow into his body, he'll keep improving. With no real deficiencies, and with plenty of room to refine his game, he will be highly regarded by almost every NHL team. You would like to see more production, but ultimately his NHL value won’t be measured there.

No. 25: Wyatt Cullen, LW, 6-foot, 172 pounds, USNTDP (USHL)

It’s been tough getting a gauge on Cullen because he’s been in and out of the lineup with various injury issues. One thing is certain: when he’s healthy, he’s the most dynamic player on the U-18 team. He darts and dashes all over the ice and he can take advantage of even the smallest gap in coverage. He does need to stay healthy for a stretch and the Chipotle All-American Game will be an important kickstart in a run that will culminate at the World U18 Championship in April. Cullen is the son of former NHLer Matt, and that instantly adds intrigue to his potential. 

No. 26: Nikita Shcherbakov, LD, 6-foot-5, 187 pounds, Ufa (Russia)

It’s a movie we have seen before, where a highly thought of Russian prospect gets bounced between the MHL and VHL to protect him from NHL scout exposure. But with a number of teams having good contacts in Russia and with the availability of advanced video platforms, it’s hard to keep a player hidden for too long. For a guy with Shcherbakov's hands, it’s hard to believe he has one regular season goal in the last season and a half. Regardless, he will garner a lot of attention for his size, skating and skill combination. He looks like a long-term project so a path to North America will have to be clear and patience will be required by the team that drafts him. 

No. 27: Egor Shilov, C, 6-foot, 177 pounds, Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

A fascinating prospect because of how he can dominate the small-area game. Rather than use physicality as a means to win board battles, he utilizes his smarts and a lightning quick stick to emerge victorious. Those same skills also make him a threat off the rush and in the one-on-one game. Shilov has been up over 55 per cent in the face-off circle all season. He’s not for everyone as his effort can be inconsistent, but his skill is very enticing.  

No. 28: Maddox Dagenais, C, 6-foot-4, 196 pounds, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

At his best, he’s the kind of player who opponents know is on the ice. You can’t miss him size-wise, but if you do, he will let you know he’s there by finishing his checks. He doesn’t just hit the body, he works through the body and that trait can intimidate. As the first overall pick in the Q, there was an expectation to produce big numbers. His production has been better than average and he does lean more goal-scorer than playmaker. He can really shoot the puck, but his value lies in his power-forward game. 

No. 29: Mathis Preston, RW, 5-foot-11, 177 pounds, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

With his talent, there is no question he should be well up over a point per game. He has everything required to be a top end point producer at the junior level, with great skating ability, magic hands, and a shot that is hard to pick up. He electrified the crowd for his new team with an overtime highlight-reel goal in his first appearance with the Giants after the trade from Spokane. He's now injured and it looks to be for an extended time. He will be highly viewed upon his return, whether with the Giants or perhaps for Canada at the world U18s in April.

No. 30: Tommy Bleyl, RD, 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

If you like Villeneuve (No. 18), you can’t help but look at Bleyl and be impressed. Their games are very similar in that they both get up and down the ice with blazing speed and have a desire to make a difference every shift. Bleyl has come out of nowhere to become the Q’s top scoring defenceman. He gets off the mark quickly and uses a number of decepetive tactics to make plays and avoid hard contact. His game does have some risk to it, but the good often outweighs the bad. He’s not as hard as Villeneuve, but he does compete. Like Villeneuve, he will also have to fight the size issue.  

No. 31: Charlie Morrison, RD, 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

It’s refreshing when a player recognizes what he is at a young age. I believe Morrison fits into that category as a complementary defenceman who brings a low risk approach to the game. He is a defence-first type player who moves well for his size. He has enough deception in his game to avoid the first wave of the forecheck, but he also makes good decisions on zone exits be it with a swift first pass, or taking the safer way out when no other options present themselves. He won’t blow people up, but there is a physical element to his game.  

No. 32: Tomas Galvas, LD, 5-foot-10, 168 pounds, Liberec (Extraliiga)

My recency bias has taken hold here after watching Galvas own the world juniors. Because he is 19 and under six feet, it is highly unlikely that he will be taken in the first round. Having said that, taking a here-and-now approach, Galvas has earned at least the nod of being in this spot. He competes up and down the ice. He’s fearless in transporting the puck and knows when he can hang around low in the offensive zone as an additional threat. He skates well and has the agility and stick skills to deceive opponents on the blue line. He’s a leader on the ice.