The 2026 Draft is beginning to crystallize with distinct tiers, but no player has entrenched themselves at #1 as Gavin McKenna has stumbled a bit out of the gate, overwhelmed by the pace and physicality of college hockey. We had a lengthy debate at Elite Prospects before keeping him in that slot, here are the 7 players with at least an argument to steal it away. We begin by breaking down McKenna's game alongside contending wingers Ivar Stenberg and Ethan Belchetz. Next, we move on to a pair of big right-shot defencemen in Chase Reid and Keaton Verhoeff. Finally, we have 3 wild card who could surprise as they represent unique players in this draft: the top centre in Tynan Lawrence, the most dynamic offensive defenceman in Xavier Villeneuve, and a two-way locomotive LD in Carson Carels.

 

Elite Prospects Ranking Article: https://www.eliteprospects.com/news/2026-nhl-draft/elite-prospects-november-top-50-2026-nhl-draft-ranking

 

Recorded Ranking Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb0KWswFRNg

 

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