With the World Junior Championship well underway, fans have gotten to see some of the top available talent for the 2026 NHL Draft put their talent on full display on junior hockey’s biggest stage.
Top players like Canada’s Gavin McKenna, Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg and Latvia’s Alberts Smits have all excelled in the opening games of the tournament. With the quarterfinals taking place on Friday, the stakes will only get higher for these players looking to raise their stocks for draft day.
Considering the current NHL standings, the organizational needs of the teams positioned to select in the lottery, and how the ongoing World Junior Championship has impacted their stock, let’s look at one of many ways the top 16 picks in the draft could fall next summer.
(Draft order determined by standings, sorted by points percentage, before games on Jan. 1, 2026)
NHL mock draft: Top 16 picks
1. Winnipeg Jets: Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna
McKenna is tied for the lead in scoring at the world juniors with eight points through Canada’s first four games of the tournament. He recorded four primary assists in the opening two games, showcasing his playmaking creativity and overall offensive vision. He’s taken advantage of this opportunity, but with each game ultimately bringing a bigger stage than the last, he’ll have to prove he can meet the moment.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Frolunda (Sweden) left wing Ivar Stenberg
Stenberg has recorded points in all but one of Sweden’s world junior games, but he hasn’t dominated in the way that would make him the clear-cut No. 1 pick yet. His production this season in Sweden’s top professional league is likely more indicative of the high-end talent he possesses, but there hasn’t been a true takeover game like many anticipated there would be for Stenberg on this stage just yet.
3. Vancouver Canucks: North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff
Verhoeff has been pretty sheltered throughout the world juniors, as expected, playing just under 15 minutes against Denmark and nine minutes against Finland after being scratched for the opening two games of Canada’s tournament. There are times when he’s looked overwhelmed, but there are also some great moments of poise, which are reasonable. He’s still been a dominant force at the NCAA level and is undoubtedly the top defender in this class for the time being.
4. St. Louis Blues: Muskegon (USHL) center Tynan Lawrence
Lawrence would be a fantastic pick at the fourth overall spot, possessing all of the tools to become a top-six center who dominates in transition and has the defensive motor that coaches love. He’s smart enough to be deployed in any on-ice situation, and he dictates the pace of play when he carries the puck. Lawrence is a complete 200-foot player who would fit strongly in the Blues’ system, which lacks center depth in its prospect pipeline.
5. Utah Mammoth: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid
With Cole Hutson out of the lineup for Team USA, Chase Reid has taken on a larger role than anticipated and has continued to exceed expectations at every level he’s played in. Reid is a dynamic skater who defends with purpose and processes offense at a very high level. He’s quickly become a must-watch prospect from this class and has been on an impressive rise this season.
6. Calgary Flames: Windsor (OHL) left wing Ethan Belchetz
Belchetz is the next-best star power forward who would instantly become a fan favorite in Calgary with his tenacious play, high-end handling and hockey sense. At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, Belchetz has the frame of an enforcer with the vision of a playmaker, making him a one-of-a-kind prospect in this class. He’s on pace for 43 goals this season with Windsor, and there’s a case to be made that he is a top-three talent in this class.
7. New York Rangers: Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits
Smits is a high-end competitor who’s taken on a leadership role with Latvia at the world juniors and has thrived while defending against the best competition. He’s also taken on an incredibly heavy workload, notably playing over 26 minutes in his three-point effort against Denmark. His aggressive, puck-dominant play can sometimes work against him, but there’s no question he’s got one of the highest ceilings in this class of defenders.
8. Nashville Predators: Tappara (Finland) center Oliver Suvanto
While this selection would likely be considered a reach, Suvanto, being the best center available after Lawrence, could make him a big target for the Nashville Predators, which are in desperate need of some long-term solutions up the middle. Suvanto has been impressive at the world juniors with Finland despite seeing less ice time, putting up two goals while using his large frame to create advantages over opponents and kill plays on the defensive end.
9. Columbus Blue Jackets: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve
Villeneuve is a dynamic skater and overall confident offensive talent who’s been tearing up the QMJHL from the blueline with 36 points in 33 games this season. His deception, skating and shooting allow him to essentially act as a fourth forward, making him unique within this class and a highly coveted prospect on draft day. While Zach Werenski will be glued to the Blue Jackets’ top power play, Villeneuve would fit perfectly as a secondary option.
10. Seattle Kraken: Spokane (WHL) right wing Mathis Preston
The Kraken have a decent setup in the middle of the ice with Chandler Stephenson, Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, but they undoubtedly need an injection of youth on the wing. Preston is a speedy flank with a wicked shot that’s helped him heat up offensively in the WHL, putting up 13 points in his last 10 games with the Spokane Chiefs. He has all the tools to become a top-six scorer in the NHL.
11. Boston Bruins: Prince Albert (WHL) defenseman Daxon Rudolph
Outside of having comparable physical profiles, Rudolph has a lot of Charlie McAvoy in his game. The 6-foot-2, 209-pound defenseman is a smooth skater who is polished in his defensive habits and can shut down opposing players with his rangy, active stick. He’s also on pace for 34 goals and 72 points this season, but his defensive game is what may make him one of the safest, most projectable defenders in this class.
12. San Jose Sharks: Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin
Lin has become more assertive as an offensive threat with the Vancouver Giants, and it’s reflected in his production, leading draft-eligible defenseman in the WHL with 45 points in 37 games. That offensive dominance hasn’t affected his defensive details either, which are among the best in this class. Don’t be surprised if Lin ends up much higher on draft boards by the end of the season.
13. Boston Bruins (via Toronto): Djurgarden (Sweden) right wing Viggo Bjorck
After landing Rudolph, the Bruins could get a winger in Bjorck to play alongside James Hagens. Bjorck is tied for second in goals (3) and points (5) on a Sweden roster at the world juniors that is filled with NHL-drafted talent. He’s been dangerous on the power play while also being trusted enough to kill penalties, showing a great motor and detailed game that will translate well to the NHL level regardless of his size disadvantages.
14. Ottawa Senators: Forfeited draft pick
The Ottawa Senators must forfeit this year’s first-round draft pick for failing to disclose Evgenii Dadonov’s limited no-trade clause when they sent him to Vegas in 2021, leading to an invalidated trade between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks the following season. The last time a team forfeited its first-round pick was in 2021 with the Arizona Coyotes, which violated the NHL’s combine testing policy.
15. Los Angeles Kings: Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny
Novotny has really shown off his defensive details with Czechia at the world juniors, which would fit perfectly in the Los Angeles Kings’ system. His work along the walls and his relentless pursuit of opposing puck carriers make him a nightmare matchup for high-end players and a constant threat to cause turnovers in vulnerable areas of the ice. If he can elevate his offensive game, he could easily be a top-10 selection at this draft.
16. New Jersey Devils: Niagara (OHL) Ryan Roobroeck
Roobroeck has been heating up offensively, putting up 21 in his last 13 games since appearing in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge. His shot is among the best in this class, and he has the physical frame to gain advantages over his opponents when creating offense. Unfortunately, the game-breaking traits he possesses have only come in flashes, and he’ll have to carry this offensive streak into the second half of the season to truly be considered a lottery pick.
