Sportsnet Ranks Gavin McKenna No. 1 in Final 2026 NHL Draft Top 32
Updated
Updated · Sportsnet.ca · Jun 17
Sportsnet Ranks Gavin McKenna No. 1 in Final 2026 NHL Draft Top 32
3 articles · Updated · Sportsnet.ca · Jun 17
Summary
Gavin McKenna topped Sportsnet’s final 2026 NHL Draft rankings after the U18 worlds and NHL Combine closed the scouting season, edging a class the outlet described as unusually tight even at No. 1.
5-foot-11 McKenna won the top spot on offensive talent, stronger conditioning and combine results—top 10 in 4 of 15 tests and top 25 in 8—plus a strong interview showing.
Ivar Stenberg ranked No. 2 and Chase Reid No. 3, with Caleb Malhotra and Carson Carels rounding out the top five in a board heavy on high-end wingers and NHL-sized defencemen.
Sportsnet grouped the class into tiers—a top 3, next 5 and another 5 through No. 13—before a broader cluster of about 10 players, underscoring expected volatility once the draft begins.