2026 NHL Draft: Conrad Jack’s November Top 32 Rankings

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft doesn’t have an official location yet, but it is set to take place on June 26 and 27th.

In previous years’ draft, Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer were the talk of the town. It seems like there’s an early debate surrounding who will go first overall, and as time goes on, the draft will settle who is taken where, and maybe there are more surprises again.

Let’s take a look at my first 2026 NHL Draft rankings with scouting reports for the top 10.

1. Gavin McKenna – Penn State University (NCAA)

Gavin McKenna has been one of the most promising prospects in recent years, and his 2024-25 season created significant buzz around the potential first overall draft selection. McKenna made the jump to NCAA hockey as he committed to Penn State University over the summer, and his five points (1G, 4A) have been incredibly promising so far. Should he continue to develop his skating and overall game trend in the right direction, McKenna could be the most relied upon player in the NHL for years to come.

2. Keaton Verhoeff – University of North Dakota (NCAA)

Keaton Verhoeff is one of the most exciting prospects to me in a long time. He’s got the ceiling of being a franchise defenseman, and he proves it in his game. The way he controls gaps, his skating, and his decision-making under pressure are top-tier for a future NHL number-one defenseman. He’s absolutely not perfect, but the tools are there for Verhoeff to potentially steal the show for whoever takes him first or second overall.

3. Ivar Stenberg – Frolunda HC (SHL)

Ivar Stenberg is a promising potential first, but more likely second or third overall draft selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Stenberg has pure skill and speed that remain his best assets, but he thinks of the game in a unique way that allows him to play at the level that he does. He’s Otto Stenberg’s younger brother, and the similarities are there between the two, but Ivar has more potential because he’s more of a defensive threat as guys get nervous around him. When you have a guy who makes others hesitate, they immediately become more of an asset to the team than others who float. Ivar Stenberg doesn’t float, and his quick strike ability put him on another level.

4. Tynan Lawrence – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Tynan Lawrence is one of the players that has potential to put himself into top three consideration. There’s just one thing that might make teams hesitant to bring in the centre, he gets knocked off the puck easily. While there’s still time for Lawrence to grow into his frame, the 6-foot, 168 pound centre s finding other ways to standout in his game as he gets stronger on his feet.

5. Juho Piiparinen – Tappara (Liiga)

Physicality and Juho Piiparinen go hand in hand. The 6-foot-3 right shot defenseman is one of the most intriguing defenseman available in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Piiparinen is a no-nonsense defenseman who the Finnish international teams have relied heavily on, especially at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. Piiparinen is one of the top Finnish prospects available as the class of prospects is in a down year. What makes Piiparinen stand out is his defensive game, and he’s got no problem doing all the things that could make him an NHL regular for years to come.

6. Ryan Roobroeck – Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Ryan Roobroeck is a big centre who has massive potential, but the narrative for a player like Roobroeck is being able to evolve and build momentum off a strong pre draft eligible season. Roobroeck is also in a coaching change season with Niagara as the IceDogs brought in Krys Barch, a strong OHL player in his time and a great mentor to Roobroeck. I’ve seen it in a lot of rankings, but Roobroeck won’t get drafted high solely off how he produces, it’ll be how he shows his game in non-production situations.

7. Mathis Preston – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Mathis Preston has an it factor to his game. He’s able to play at a high intensity, and when games become super tense, Preston cranks it into overdrive unlike anything I’ve ever seen. He’s not as big as others in this draft as he stands at 5-foot-11, but he utilizes his size and speed to his advantage, and that’s something scouts have taken notice of. He’s got a quick release and a lot of deception in his game, but he mainly stands out as being a player that elevates others.

8. Oscar Hemming – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Oscar Hemming has had quite an interesting season so far. He had a strong Hlinka-Gretzky performance and was looking to get his release from his Finnish team. He’s been questionable in 2025-26, but there’s a lot of upside with Hemming. He’s got size, a strong skating ability, and hands to make plays that make him standout in this draft class. If he can get any start to his season, either in the OHL or in the BCHL, an unsanctioned league he’s been rumored to join, he could propel himself into a potential top five draft selection.

9. Marcus Nordmark – Djurgardens IF U20 (U20 Nationell)

Marcus Nordmark led all players in points at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, and even though it’s a small sample size, he’s shown that he’s an effective offensive player who’s a threat in all three zones. Nordmark has his CHL rights owned by the London Knights, meaning that if NHL teams are comfortable taking him as high as he’s been ranked, the transition to the North American game isn’t as daunting as it seems. Nordmark is expected to suit up in some SHL games this season, and if he’s successful, he could rise quickly in the rankings.

10. Ethan Belchetz – Windsor Spirfires (OHL)

Ethan Belchetz is a big winger that could be a force for years to come. There are just some questions to his game similar to Roger McQueen. While he isn’t as injury prone as McQueen is, getting his size to work in his favor can become his biggest asset heading into June. He’s got a big shot that’s effective from distance, and he utilizes the distance he can create as a bigger player to create plays. I’ve seen Belchetz ranked as high as fourth, and he can realistically go in the top three, but Belchetz is a different player who relies on his offensive abilities to balance out his defensive shortcomings.

11. Chase Reid – Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

12. Viggo Bjorck – Djurgardens IF (SHL)

13. Ryan Lin – Vancouver Giants (WHL)

14. Elton Hermansson – MoDo Hockey (HockeyAllsvenskan)

15. Adam Novotny – Peterborough Petes (OHL)

16. Caleb Malhotra – Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

17. Carson Carels – Prince George Cougars (WHL)

18. Cooper Williams – Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

19. Malte Gustafsson – HV71 U20 (U20 Nationell)

20. Daxon Rudolph – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

21. Oliver Suvanto – Tappara (Liiga)

22. Xavier Villeneuve – Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

23. Liam Ruck – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

24. Jack Hextall – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

25. Vilho Vanhatalo – Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

26. Olivers Murnieks – Saint Johns Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

27. Simon Katolicky – Tappara U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

28. Beckham Edwards – Sarnia Sting (OHL)

29. Colin Fitzgerald – Peterborough Petes (OHL)

30. Chase Harrington – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

31. Casey Mutryn – US National U18 Team (NTDP)

32. Alexander Command – Orebro HK U20 (U20 Nationell)