{"id":45884,"date":"2025-07-07T11:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T11:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/45884\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T11:47:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T11:47:09","slug":"2026-nhl-mock-draft-gavin-mckenna-is-no-1-in-corey-pronmans-way-too-early-projection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/45884\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NHL Mock Draft: Gavin McKenna is No. 1 in Corey Pronman\u2019s way-too-early projection"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 NHL Draft<\/a> was deep at the center position high in the draft. The 2026 class, extremely early on\/a lot will change\/standard caveats \u2026 does not look that way. Three of the top four-ranked forwards are wingers, and the two top-ranked centers are both on the smaller side. I am a little more excited about the high-end talent in this draft compared to 2025 at the same point in time, although the lack of elite talent at premium positions is concerning. The top-ranked prospect is Gavin McKenna, who some may recognize from this year\u2019s Canadian World Junior team. He\u2019s a standard\/solid No. 1 pick and is analogous to Matthew Schaefer as a prospect.<\/p>\n

The mock draft order is based on betting lines for the 2025-26 season. There are 31 selections in the first round, as the Ottawa Senators have forfeited their pick due to the Evgenii Dadonov trade mishap.<\/p>\n

1. San Jose: Gavin McKenna, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)<\/p>\n

McKenna was one of the very best players in the CHL this season. He\u2019s an electric forward with truly elite skill and offensive sense. He\u2019s one of the most creative and skilled players I\u2019ve seen in recent years. That McKenna is also a high-end skater who can make his difficult plays at quick tempos gives a lot of confidence about how his game could fare in the NHL. If teams were going to pick him apart, it would be that he\u2019s an average-sized winger who doesn\u2019t have a super high motor, but his talent and scoring are so good that it\u2019s nitpicking. I wouldn\u2019t call him a Macklin Celebrini\/Connor Bedard level prospect, but he\u2019s not far off.<\/p>\n

\n

GAVIN MCKENNA GOAL OF THE YEAR?! \ud83e\udd2f <\/p>\n

The top 2026 #NHLDraft<\/a> prospect is a human highlight reel!<\/p>\n

(\ud83c\udfa5: @TheWHL<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/5yiXXewL0s<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

2. Chicago: Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara (OHL)<\/p>\n

Roobroeck is a very talented forward who had a big second season in the OHL. It\u2019s rare to see players who are 6-foot-4, can skate and have legit high-end offensive skills. The difficult puck plays he can make in small areas and on the move for a guy his size will be highly enticing to NHL teams. He\u2019s a gifted playmaker and scorer who projects to score in major numbers at the next level. His compete level is average, which is my only critique of him, although it\u2019s not a significant issue. He has all the tools to be a star in the NHL.<\/p>\n

3. Anaheim: Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, Victoria (WHL)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Verhoeff was an impactful player for Victoria as a 16-year-old defenseman and one of the best defensemen at the U18 Worlds for Canada. He\u2019s a tremendous athlete who moves very well for 6-foot-4. He competes hard and has shown the ability to outmuscle older junior players. He\u2019s a skilled offensive player who can create plenty of offense. He isn\u2019t a high-end playmaker, but he makes tough plays on the move and can run a power play with a big shot from the point. He has the potential to be a major minute defenseman in the NHL.<\/p>\n

4. Seattle: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (SHL)<\/p>\n

Stenberg, the younger brother of St. Louis first-round pick Otto Stenberg, was exceptional at the junior level in Sweden this season. He eventually got bumped up to the SHL, where he took a regular shift for Frolunda. He was also a top player for Sweden\u2019s U18 team, posting big numbers at several international events. Stenberg is super skilled and smart. He makes a ton of difficult plays with the puck, and often does so with pace. He\u2019s a high-end playmaker and shooter who can project to run a power-play flank in the NHL. He\u2019s undersized, but he skates well and plays hard, so I think his size won\u2019t be a major hindrance.<\/p>\n

5. Pittsburgh: Tynan Lawrence, C, Muskegon (USHL)<\/p>\n

Lawrence was tremendous this season. He played major minutes in the USHL on a good team, was a leading scorer in the playoffs and was very good for Canada\u2019s U17 team, too. He\u2019s a high-end skater who competes hard and brings a high level of pace to each of his shifts. Lawrence is also a great stickhandler and passer who generates a ton of scoring chances. He projects to be a play-driving center in the NHL that coaches can rely on at both ends. His only real issue is that he\u2019s not that big.<\/p>\n

6. Buffalo: Ethan Belchetz, RW, Windsor (OHL)<\/p>\n

Belchetz is an absolute monster of a young prospect. As a 16-year-old in the OHL, he already measured at 6-foot-5, 220-plus pounds. He has typically overpowered players much older than him. He plays hard as well, which only adds to his physical dominance. There is a worry with a guy who is that big, that young, to debate how he\u2019s going to project when he gets to play against men. Belchetz has legit talent to go with his frame, too. He\u2019s a strong skater with a fluid, big-man stride. He\u2019s also very skilled and creative with the puck. I wouldn\u2019t call him a natural playmaker, but he creates plenty of chances. He has star potential at the next level if he continues to develop well.<\/p>\n

7. Boston: Mathis Preston, RW, Spokane (WHL)<\/p>\n

Preston\u2019s talent level jumps out at you. He\u2019s a tremendous skater and puck handler whose rushes and one-on-one play are quite special. When he\u2019s barreling down the wing, especially with how well Preston shoots the puck, it\u2019s quite easy to envision him scoring a lot in the NHL. He\u2019s not that big, physical or an amazing playmaker, but he\u2019s competitive and smart enough that I don\u2019t think those areas will hold him back as a pro.<\/p>\n

8. Montreal: Xavier Villeneuve, LHD, Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)<\/p>\n

Villeneuve was one of the best defensemen in the QMJHL this season. He\u2019s a dynamic offensive player. He\u2019s an elite skater with the clear edge work and foot speed of a top NHL defender. He\u2019s also a super creative and intelligent puck-mover who makes a lot of plays. He can beat opponents one-on-one off the rush and make creative plays with pace. He\u2019s also an excellent, patient passer who can create a lot off the blue line. Scouts\u2019 main concerns with Villeneuve will be without the puck. He\u2019s a small defenseman who doesn\u2019t play very hard at times.<\/p>\n

9. Detroit: Carson Carels, LHD, Prince George (WHL)<\/p>\n

Carels played big minutes for Prince George this season and for Canada\u2019s U18 team. He\u2019s a well-rounded defenseman. He skates well and competes hard, showing the ability to make a lot of stops. Carels is a strong puck mover who makes a lot of good decisions with the puck and possesses solid puck skills. For a 6-1 defenseman, if he\u2019s dynamic enough will be a minor question, but he just seems to make so many positive plays.<\/p>\n

10. Nashville: Daxon Rudolph, RHD, Prince Albert (WHL)<\/p>\n

Rudolph was an important player for a strong Prince Albert team as a 16-year-old. The first-overall pick in his WHL Bantam Draft, I wouldn\u2019t call Rudolph the most dynamic 1\/1 you\u2019ll ever see. He\u2019s a very smart and steady defender. He makes a lot of good decisions with the puck, while also having the skill and vision to execute difficult plays. He\u2019s a good skater who can make a lot of stops and projects as a solid two-way defender.<\/p>\n

11. Calgary: Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgarden (Sweden Jr.)<\/p>\n

Bjorck dominated the Sweden junior circuit this season as one of the very best 16-year-olds at that level in recent memory. Bjorck is small at 5-foot-9, but every other aspect of his game is excellent. He\u2019s a very quick skater who competes at a high level and can push the pace. He\u2019s extremely skilled and intelligent. He sees plays others don\u2019t and controls the puck when he\u2019s on the ice. He plays through contact very well and attacks the net despite his size.<\/p>\n

12. Columbus: Tomas Chrenko, RW, Nitra (Slovakia)<\/p>\n

Chrenko played against men this season in Slovakia and was one of their U18 team\u2019s best players at the World Championships. He has standout skill with the puck, displaying high-end creativity, vision and ability to create off the perimeter. He\u2019s a good to very good skater with strong speed and edge work. Chrenko isn\u2019t that big and can be pushed to the outside by stronger defenders, which will be his main issue as he advances levels, but he works hard enough to potentially overcome that.<\/p>\n

13. Philadelphia: Lars Steiner, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)<\/p>\n

Steiner was excellent in his first QMJHL season, scoring over a point per game. He\u2019s a high-end skater with the quick twitch to get by a lot of NHL defensemen. Steiner has a very high skill level, and when he\u2019s coming down the wing with his speed, he can be a handful to defend. He shoots it well and can set up plays. I wouldn\u2019t call him a super high compete type, but he does win battles even though his 5-11 frame will be an issue in the NHL.<\/p>\n

14. New York Islanders: Adam Novotny, LW, Mountfield (Czechia)<\/p>\n

Novotny played up all season at the top pro level in Czechia and made their World Junior team as an underager. He\u2019s a tremendous skater who competes hard. The energy he brings to shifts will easily endear him to NHL coaches. Novotny has a high skill level, too, although I wouldn\u2019t call him a top-tier playmaker who projects to be a major point producer in the NHL.<\/p>\n

15. Vancouver: Simon Katolicky, LW, Tappara (Finland Jr.)<\/p>\n

Katolicky played this season in Finland\u2019s U18 league, not their top junior league, and did very well there. He did impress at the international level too for Czechia against better players, inspiring confidence that his talent is real. Katolicky is a huge winger who is a great skater for his size. He\u2019s a strong puck handler who creates offense at fast tempos. He sees the ice well and has a big point shot that projects to beat pro goalies from range.<\/p>\n

16. St. Louis: Beckham Edwards, C, Sarnia (OHL)<\/p>\n

Edwards had a great first OHL season, scoring a lot of goals for Sarnia. The talent in his game is obvious between his speed, hands, offensive creativity and ability to finish. On his best shifts, Edwards has a dynamic element. I wouldn\u2019t call him an overly competitive player, though, and his game can lack physicality.<\/p>\n

17. Utah: Ryan Lin, RHD, Vancouver (WHL)<\/p>\n

Lin played a lot of minutes for Vancouver this season while scoring at a very high rate for a 16-year-old defenseman in the WHL. Lin is a very smart puck-moving defenseman. He sees the ice at a high level, displaying great patience and ability to make plays under pressure. He\u2019s a slick puck handler who makes a lot of difficult plays seem easy. He\u2019s a good skater who can transport pucks up ice as well. Lin\u2019s main issue is his frame, and while he defends well in junior, the issue for scouts will be whether his game will translate.<\/p>\n

18. New York Rangers: Chase Reid, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)<\/p>\n

Reid had a strange season. He started off playing well in the NAHL, and following the ruling that CHL players could go to college hockey, he left to play in the OHL, where he became one of the best young defensemen in the league. He\u2019s a very skilled player whose creativity and offensive IQ stand out consistently. Reid is a good enough skater who can lead a rush effectively and attack with tempo. His defending is mediocre, and the main area to improve, though. He\u2019s committed to playing at Michigan State.<\/p>\n

19. Minnesota: Alberts Smits, LHD, Jukurit (Liiga)<\/p>\n

Smits played well in Finland this season, ending up earning time in Liiga for Jukurit and was a top player for Latvia\u2019s U18 team. Smits isn\u2019t going to bring a ton of offense to the higher levels, but he\u2019s a mobile 6-foot-3 defenseman who competes well and makes a reliable first pass. He\u2019s the type of player coaches will feed minutes to.<\/p>\n

20. Washington: Tobias Tomik, LW, Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)<\/p>\n

Tomik played regular minutes against men in Slovakia this season. He also made their World Junior team. Tomik is a well-rounded winger. He skates well and competes at both ends of the ice. He\u2019s a skilled puck handler who can make difficult plays at high tempos. I wouldn\u2019t call him a dynamic offensive player, but he sees the ice well and has a good wrist shot.<\/p>\n

21. Boston (via Toronto): Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW, Orebro (Sweden Jr.)<\/p>\n

Aaram-Olsen continues in the recent trend of highly touted Norwegian prospects. His skill stands out right away. He\u2019s a super slick puck handler who beats defenders one-on-one often and does so at full speed. He\u2019s a creative playmaker who can make and finish plays from the perimeter. He\u2019s a good skater who should be able to handle the NHL pace. He\u2019s not overly physical or competitive, but those aspects look good enough to be able to play versus pros.<\/p>\n

22. Winnipeg: Marcus Nordmark, RW, Djurgarden (Sweden Jr.)<\/p>\n

Nordmark impressed with his play at the junior level in Sweden and internationally. He has a lot of offense in his game and often ends up on the scoresheet. Nordmark\u2019s skill stands out consistently. He beats defenders one-on-one at a high rate and is a creative playmaker. Nordmark is also a good skater who can beat opponents wide. His compete level is fine. I don\u2019t see him running over opponents in the NHL, but it won\u2019t hold him back.<\/p>\n

23. Los Angeles: Casey Mutryn, RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)<\/p>\n

Mutryn was a top player for the USA U17 team this season and got time with the U18 team, too. He\u2019s a tall winger who skates and handles the puck quite well. He plays a direct style of game, getting to the net to create offense. He wins a lot of battles and has an edge in his game. I don\u2019t think he\u2019s an overly instinctive playmaker, but he\u2019s smart enough to create offense at the next level.<\/p>\n

24. New Jersey: Gleb Pugachyov, LW, Torpedo (Russia Jr.)<\/p>\n

Pugachyov impressed as a 16-year-old in Russia\u2019s top junior league, including scoring nearly a point per game in Chaika\u2019s playoff run. He has some skill, even if he\u2019s not super creative, while being a 6-foot-3 wing who skates well and is highly physical. His style of play will be quite endearing to NHL teams.<\/p>\n

25. Seattle (via Tampa Bay): Arseni Ilyin, LW, SKA (Russia Jr.)<\/p>\n

Ilyin played regular minutes on a top junior team in Russia this season. When he went to play for Russia\u2019s U18 team, he stood out, arguably being their best player as a 16-year-old. Ilyin is a tall winger who skates and handles the puck very well. He can break shifts open with his puck handling and playmaking. He makes plays with pace and can run a power play well, too. He\u2019s not overly physical, though.<\/p>\n

26. Calgary (via Vegas): Elton Hermansson, LW, Orebro (Sweden Jr.)<\/p>\n

Hermansson scored at a significant level as a 16-year-old in Sweden\u2019s top junior league. The type of plays he can make with the puck stands out consistently, and especially the pace at which he can make those plays. He\u2019s a very creative offensive player who is dangerous inside the offensive zone and on the power play. The main concern with Hermansson is his effort level and playing too much on the outside.<\/p>\n

27. New York Islanders (via Colorado): Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)<\/p>\n

Mbuyi was highly productive as a 16-year-old in the OHL as a top scorer for Owen Sound. His skill\/skating combination is clearly NHL quality. He\u2019s a very creative playmaker who makes a lot of difficult plays in small areas and on the move. Mbuyi is a threat to create or finish chances from the perimeter. He\u2019s not that big or physical, so there will be minor questions on how his game will translate, but he may have so much offense that it won\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

28. Carolina (via Dallas): Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Sarnia (OHL)<\/p>\n

Di Iorio had a productive first year in the OHL after being the second-overall pick in his OHL draft. Di Iorio may not be the most purely talented player in his age group, but he\u2019s a well-rounded player who will endear himself to coaches. He has legit offensive tools between his speed, hands and hockey sense and decent size too. He also works hard and has two-way forward potential as a pro.<\/p>\n

29. Chicago (via Florida): Colin Fitzgerald, C, Peterborough (OHL)<\/p>\n

Fitzgerald was up and down as a rookie OHLer, but he remains a highly touted prospect due to how talented he is. He\u2019s a 6-foot-2 right-shot center who can skate and handle the puck like an NHL player. On his best shifts when he\u2019s flying up the ice and beating defensemen one-on-one with pace, it\u2019s easy to envision him at the next level. He also has a little bit in his game and projects to play down the middle. I\u2019d like to see him make more plays and be more consistent.<\/p>\n

30. San Jose (via Edmonton): Olivers Murnieks, C, Sioux City (USHL)<\/p>\n

Murnieks had a good first year in North America. He won\u2019t land on many highlight reels, but he\u2019s a hardworking, detailed center who contributes at both ends of the ice. He has good pace in his game, strong puck skills and hockey sense and engages physically.<\/p>\n

31. Carolina: Adam Nemec, LW, Nitra (Slovakia)<\/p>\n

Nemec, the younger brother of New Jersey\u2019s Simon Nemec, played decently against men this year in Slovakia and was an important part of Slovakia\u2019s U18 team. He\u2019s a forward who does a lot well, even if he\u2019s not overly flashy. Nemec is quite skilled, is a good skater and competes hard. He could be a forward who lines up on both special teams.<\/p>\n

(Illustration: Will Tullos \/ The Athletic; photos of Gavin McKenna, Ryan Roobroeck: Michael Miller, Minas Panagiotakis \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n