2026 NHL Mock Draft 1st-Round Predictions and Latest Draft Order
The Vancouver Canucks have put themselves in the best position to win the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes.
bleacherreport.comHere’s a concise update on the latest NHL mock draft chatter for 2026.
Latest trends and consensus
- Gavin McKenna remains a frequent top pick in many 2026 mock drafts, with several recent projections keeping him in the top tier for the first overall slot or near it, depending on team needs and the season’s development curve. This reflects his high-end upside and breakout potential at Penn State.[4][5]
- Keaton Verhoeff has surged into or near the discussion at the top in multiple late-2024 to 2025 mock drafts, stirring debates about whether teams prioritize a big right-shot defenseman early or a high-scoring forward.[7][4]
- Ivar Stenberg and other strong two-way defensemen (e.g., Alberts Šmits, Carson Carels, Ryan Lin) frequently appear in the early-to-mid first round across several outlets, suggesting a growing premium on position versatility and pro-ready tools.[1][7]
Representative current mock positions (varies by outlet)
- Mock drafts around January–April 2026 often place Gavin McKenna (LW, Penn State) and Keaton Verhoeff (D, North Dakota) high in the first round, with McKenna sometimes edging Verhoeff for No. 1 depending on team fit and season form.[5][6]
- Several outlets project top-five mobility for Ivar Stenberg (LW/RW, Frolunda) and other forwards like Daxon Rudolph (D) or Caleb Malhotra (C) as the class’s strong offensive options.[3][1]
- Debates continue about the top pick as the NHL calendar approaches major events (Olympics/World Juniors) and trade activity, with some rankings showing No. 1 up for grabs or shifting between McKenna, Verhoeff, and McKenna’s contemporaries.[2][4]
What this means for fans and teams
- Expect ongoing updates as players perform in the World Juniors and in the NCAA/CHL/KHL seasons, with top names like McKenna and Verhoeff continuing to anchor most boards.[2][4]
- If you’re following a specific team, track their public scouting notes and draft previews in the next 1–2 months for potential top-10 targets and any late risers from the 2026 class.[6][7]
Illustration (example pick logic)
- A hypothetical top-5 could look like:
- 1: Gavin McKenna (LW, Penn State)
- 2: Keaton Verhoeff (D, North Dakota)
- 3: Ivar Stenberg (LW/RW, Frolunda)
- 4: Alberts Šmits (D, HV71)
- 5: Carson Carels (D, Prince George) Note: exact order varies by outlet and date; this reflects common high-level themes across recent mock drafts.[1][5][7]
If you’d like, I can compile a side-by-side snapshot from specific outlets (e.g., Bleacher Report, ClutchPoints, The Hockey News) with their current top-10 projections and any notable changes from the last few weeks. I can also monitor for Olympic/World Juniors impacts and provide a live update feed.