NHL mock draft 2026: Who goes first in pre-world juniors edition?

The 2026 NHL Draft class is entering a pivotal point in the scouting calendar.

The World Junior Championship marks a huge moment every season for the draft-eligible players who earn the opportunity to showcase their skills on junior hockey’s biggest stage.

Not all of the projected lottery selections at the upcoming draft will end up appearing in the event, with top rosters like Team USA, Team Canada and Team Sweden bringing older and more established prospects.

However, undrafted stars like Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck are all primed to play prominent roles at this year’s tournament, giving hockey fans a chance to see what the next wave of young stars has to offer.

Considering the current NHL standings, the organizational needs of the teams positioned to select in the lottery, and how the world juniors could impact 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 Dec. 18, 2025)

NHL mock draft: Top 16 picks

1. Vancouver Canucks: Frolunda (Sweden) left wing Ivar Stenberg

After the blockbuster trade that sent star defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, the future is the focus for the Vancouver Canucks. Stenberg is entering the world juniors as Sweden’s hottest offensive player, leading Frolunda with 24 points in 25 games in the Swedish League. He elevates those around him with his vision and hockey IQ and will be an integral part of a Swedish forward group that’s already filled with drafted players.

2. Calgary Flames: Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna

For Calgary Flames fans, all eyes should be on Team Canada for this tournament. Expectations have been high for Gavin McKenna, and he’s struggled to meet them in his first season in the NCAA, but this best-on-best competition allows him to silence his doubters. This is the strongest group of players he’s ever been surrounded by, and he’s projected to play in a top-line role where his dynamic playmaking will be on full display. 

3. Nashville Predators: Muskegon (USHL) center Tynan Lawrence

Next year will be the opportunity for Tynan Lawrence to shine at the world juniors, but he’s been one of the most valuable players in the United States Hockey League since returning to the lineup with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He put up 11 points in his first five games back while dominating in transition with his elite skating. There’s a chance he leads a lot of teams’ draft boards by the end of the season.

4. St. Louis Blues: North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff

Keaton Verhoeff will likely rotate in as an extra defensive option for Canada at the world juniors, considering the team’s depth at the position. But the fact that he’s still on the team after the first cuts reinforces his status as the top defender in this class. He’s consistently been the most effective player for North Dakota, and his ice time is reflecting it, putting up 11 points in 16 games while playing upward of 20 minutes a night.

5. Seattle Kraken: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve

It was going to be difficult for Xavier Villeneuve to crack Canada’s world junior roster with Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh carrying the offensive load from the blueline, but his stock is still rising as this draft’s top offensive defenseman. Villeneuve has 33 points in 29 games and is extremely shifty while walking the line in the offensive zone, possessing all the tools to quarterback a power play at the NHL level someday.

6. Winnipeg Jets: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid

Chase Reid has been one of the class’ most incredible stories, going from an overlooked prospect in the North American Hockey League last season to becoming one of the Ontario Hockey League’s top scoring defenders with hopes of cracking Team USA’s world junior roster. He’s a high-end athlete who defends with purpose, along with great offensive instincts and a blistering shot that combine to make him one of the most intriguing prospects to watch this season.

7. Chicago Blackhawks: Windsor (OHL) left wing Ethan Belchetz

Ethan Belchetz projects to be the perfect long-term fit to play alongside Connor Bedard. A 6-foot-5, 228-pound power forward with the hands of an elite playmaker, Belchetz is a physical presence who’s great along the walls and in front of the net. Few players have a ceiling as high as Belchetz. It would be a home-run selection for the Blackhawks if they were to land him next summer as a complementary piece for their future.

8. Buffalo Sabres: Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny

Adam Novotny is one of the few returning draft-eligible players at this year’s world juniors. Team Czechia will rely on him as a key offensive player with high-end shooting and the details that make him reliable in all on-ice situations. His time in Czechia’s top pro league as an underager prepared him for a relatively seamless transition to the OHL with the Peterborough Petes, where he has put up 35 points in his first 29 games.

9. Utah Mammoth: Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits

Alberts Smits headlines a young Latvian roster at this year’s world juniors with players eligible to be selected in the 2026 and 2027 drafts. He’s playing a top-pairing role in Finland’s top professional league, has tightened up his defensive game and has huge offensive upside in his willingness to activate in the rush. It will be tough for Latvia to find scoring, but Smits will have free rein to generate rush offense and should be fun to watch.

10. New York Rangers: Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels

While Verhoeff’s inclusion was expected, Carels was a surprising addition as a draft-eligible defenseman on Canada’s preliminary world junior roster. However, scoring 29 points in his first 28 games made him a worthy candidate for a tryout. If he sticks around, he won’t be logging huge minutes as he has been with Prince George, but his vision, competitive motor and hockey sense have him projected as a top-four defenseman with a polished two-way game.

11. Columbus Blue Jackets: Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin

Lin is one of the most intelligent and dependable defenders in this class. There’s not one elite tool that has emerged just yet, but he’s putting up great point totals with the Vancouver Giants once again after being the second blueliner in the last 35 years to put up 50 points as a 16-year-old in the Western Hockey League. Getting him at the 11th pick would be a huge win for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

12. Ottawa Senators: Forfeited draft pick

In 2023, the NHL ruled the Ottawa Senators would have to forfeit one first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026. The Senators failed to disclose Evgenii Dadonov’s limited no-trade clause when they moved him to Vegas in 2021, leading to an invalidated trade between the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks in 2022. Since Ottawa chose Carter Yakemchuk seventh overall in 2024 and Logan Hensler 23rd overall in 2025, it forfeits this year’s pick.

13. San Jose Sharks: Tappara (Finland) center Oliver Suvanto

Suvanto has quickly emerged as the top Finnish prospect in the 2026 class and enters the world juniors as the youngest player on Finland’s roster. He’s an extremely detailed center with impressive defensive habits and a competitive edge that has earned him a middle-six role with Tappara, the best team in Finland’s pro circuit. He’ll frustrate opposing players throughout this tournament and could cement his status as a lottery pick with a good performance.

14. Boston Bruins (via Toronto): Prince Albert (WHL) defenseman Daxon Rudolph

Rudolph is a steady shutdown defender who’s elevated his offensive game, recording seven goals and 12 points in his last seven games with Prince Albert. He’s found ways to use his size and mobility to unlock a layer of activation on the rush that he hasn’t always had. If he’s able to continue to produce and show the same poise offensively as he does as a defenseman, he could be selected much higher.

15. San Jose Sharks (via Edmonton): Spokane (WHL) right wing Mathis Preston

Preston has followed up his impressive performance at the U-18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a decent start on a middling Spokane Chiefs team, putting up 29 points in his first 31 games. His offense hasn’t taken off as anticipated, but his speed, deception and willingness to step up in clutch moments of games still make him one of the top forward prospects in this draft. He could become a household name at next year’s world juniors with Canada.

16. Los Angeles Kings: Djurgarden (Sweden) right wing Viggo Bjorck

Viggo Bjorck will likely suit up for Sweden on a line with his brother Wilson, a Vancouver Canucks prospect. They were the top two scorers in Sweden’s junior league in 2024-25. Bjorck has developed into a workhorse in the Swedish League, with high-end handling and creative playmaking. Despite being undersized at 5-foot-9, he plays a fearless game that sets him up to play a huge role at this year’s world juniors.