Meet tomorrow’s superstars today: NHL Draft as a sneak preview of the 2030s
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 NHL Draft will bring a fresh wave of young talent to the league when it is held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to make headlines with the first overall pick on Friday, June 26, putting them in position to land top prospect Gavin McKenna. After Toronto, the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators round out the top 10.
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Each of these franchises hopes to add a future star and shape the next era of hockey. With so much talent in play, this draft is already being seen as an early look at the players who could define the 2030s.
This draft brings in teenagers who will be competing at an elite level in the sport. These players will be closely watched in how they emulate the stars of the NHL — Connor McDavid, Alex Ovechkin, Cale Makar and Nikita Kucherov.
In today’s NHL, young talent is more important than ever, and this draft class arrives at a crucial time. Teams like the Maple Leafs and Sharks are building their future around elite prospects while contenders like the Florida Panthers hope to add NHL-ready players on affordable entry-level contracts.
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With the league moving through demanding 82-game seasons, many of these prospects could reach the NHL quickly and take on important roles. By the end of the decade, several members of the 2026 draft class, North American and international, may become franchise cornerstones and key contributors for their national teams at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, making this draft a true glimpse into hockey’s future.
1. Gavin McKenna (LW, Canada)
Penn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (72) warms up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils. | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Image
Gavin McKenna played for the Penn Sate Nittany Lions. McKenna played 35 games in the 2025-26 season, racking up 15 goals and 36 assists. For Canada, he recorded 4 points in seven games. McKenna set nine records for Penn State and finished his newbie season as Big Ten scoring champion and was the Big Ten Rookie of the Year.
What brings more spice to the scenario is how this youngster is going to reshape his career and the NHL in general. McKenna is ultra-skilled, according to scouts, and can be the next evolution of the modern era. For comparisons, McKenna shares physical similarities with Patrick Kane and Jack Hughes based on their size and playing style. McDavid, the first overall pick in 2015, had the same skating velocity as McKenna. These factors can indicate how McKenna will reshape the modern NHL era and the Toronto franchise.
2. Ivar Stenberg (LW, Sweden)
Sweden forward Ivar Stenberg (15) is all smiles after his team defeated Czechia in the final of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. | Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
The second spot in the draft is a bit shaky to date.
Amid all the options, Ivar Stenberg is the favorite for the No. 2 spot held by the San Jose Sharks. He is already ranked the No.1 international skater by NHL Central Scouting. The 18-year-old’s scoring output is 33 points — 11 goals and 22 assists. Maple Leafs’ star winger William Nylander could be a comparison for the Swedish player. His immaculate playmaking and vision show he is on a path to become an NHL star, given his age.
If Stenberg slides past the top three, the Chicago Blackhawks are rumored to covet him to pair alongside Connor Bedard.
3. Keaton Verhoeff (RD, Canada)
North Dakota Fighting Hawks defenseman Keaton Verhoeff (18) moves the puck against the Wisconsin Badgers in the semifinals of the NCAA Frozen Four. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Keaton Verhoeff has an interesting story reaching high ground in his career. He started out as a goaltender and minded nets until he was 12. “I was shocked,” James Patrick, Verhoeff’s coach in the WHL, said, laughing. “I can still see that picture in my mind, and it’s such an amusing memory for me.” Verhoeff broke records, scoring 21 goals as a 16-year-old defenseman.
The 2006 first overall pick Eric Johnson’s trajectory matches Verhoeff’s potential. They have similar physical traits as big defensemen who can physically overpower opponents. At the same time, Verhoeff’s time at North Dakota mirrors Noah Dobson, per Bleacher Report’s Hannah Stuart. Both are big, right-handed and exhibit hockey sense. Verhoeff is indeed positioned to become a star.
4. Chase Reid (RD, United States)
Chase Reid is the top-ranked defenseman and the No. 2 North American skater. His appearance, achievements and high-end output is comparable with Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski, Dobson and Cole Hutson. Reid is known for his transition game, breaking up opposing play in the neutral zone. He is a trusted primary power-play quarterback. The USA team relies on Reid because of his hyper-intelligent style. He scored 4 points in five games.
Reid is expected to be top 3-5 overall pick in 2026 NHL Draft. He is likely to be picked by the Blackhawks, but rumors are strong about Stenberg as well. Reid’s elite game control can be a big advantage for the franchise that gets him.
5. Alberts Smits (LD, Latvia)
Alberts Smits, is the No. 2 European skater according to NHL Central Scouting and winner of the prestigious 2026 E.J. McGuire Award. The award goes to the draft prospect “who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.” Smits is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He could be the main target of teams like the New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets. He can be a dual threat as a defensive stopper first and heavy shot maker.
Moreover, Smits is the only draftable teenager to play the 2026 Winter Olympics for Team Latvia. He shut down elite players and NHL stars such as Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and Lucas Raymond. He then recorded four assists at the 2026 IIHF Men’s World Championship. During the 2025-26 season, Smits compiled 13 points in 43 top-tier professional games.
6. Caleb Malhotra (C, Canada)
As the top-ranked true center and the No. 6 North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting, Caleb Malhotra is projected to be selected in the top 3 to 5 overall. The 6-foot-2 player possesses the combination of a high-floor shutdown profile with high offensive playmaking. He is like NHL two-way stars Bo Horvat and Anze Kopitar. Malhotra put up 84 points (29 goals, 55 assists) in 67 games for the Brantford Bulldogs. That was just before he extended his game to secure 26 points in 15 playoff games.
Caleb’s father, Manny Malhotra, was a veteran of 991 NHL games and was a penalty-killing specialist of his time, His uncle Steve Nash was a two-time NBA MVP. Caleb Malhotra is considered the best two-way forward in the entire draft class. Malhotra can land with the Vancouver Canucks at No. 3 — his father is the head coach — or Chicago at No. 4.
7. Carson Carels (LD, Canada)
The No. 3-ranked skater, Carson Carels enters the draft bringing in four-way mobility, high-volume offensive generation and a highly competitive and disruptive edge. Carels has a steady rise on the NHL boards and could be the defender for the team who wants a short runway. His average is nearly 28 minutes of ice time per game.
Carels’ game model is mostly like Ottawa’s Jake Sanderson. During the 2025-26 campaign with the Prince George Cougars, he made 73 points in 58 games, from 20 goals and 53 assists. Carels can be a two-way physical skater who can score 10-15 goals. He can be like a young Jacob Trouba during his time with the Jets. With closely 25 minute plus per game, Carels is capable of operating as primary quarterback on the first power-play unit and a penalty killer. Carels is a definite target for teams holding top-five selections like Vancouver and the Rangers.
8. Viggo Björck (C, Sweden)
Viggo Bjorck is a hyper-intelligent two-way, immense competitive motor and masterful puck protective style. He draws comparison with Sidney Crosby, Brayden Point and Seth Jarvis. The Swedish forward is considered a dark horse for the New York Rangers or the Canucks.
On the international level, Bjorck took Team Sweden to a gold medal at the 2026 World Junior Championship, logging 9 points in seven games and finishing as arguably their most trusted all-situation player.
NHL Director Jukka Pekka Vuorinen evaluated Bjorck as a “Sidney Crosby-type player” in his tight-area execution. Previously, Bjorck shattered records in Sweden’s U-20 league as a 16-year-old. Bjorck overcomes most defensive shields and processes information multiple steps ahead under intense physical pressure.
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Conclusion
The 2026 NHL Draft will shape the league’s future by bringing in players who can help teams now and later. With top prospects like McKenna, Stenberg, Verhoeff and Reid, this class could affect franchise plans for years. From rebuilding teams to contenders, these picks may become the core of the modern NHL and the 2030s.