NHL First-Round Mock Draft: Will Ivar Stenberg Fall Past No. 2?

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is on the doorstep. For rebuilding teams, this event is an opportunity to draft cornerstone players for years to come. For others, it’s a chance to plan for the future while competing in the present. 

If anything is true about the draft, it’s that the “right” pick isn’t known for many years afterward. In some cases, the best players in a draft class are selected outside of the first round. For now, all hockey fans can do is examine the scenarios.

For this mock draft, all selections will be considered in accordance with the current order. Some picks like the Sharks’ second-overall pick and the Blackhawks’ fourth-overall pick have been hot topics in trade discussions. This mock will assume everyone sits still. 

It’s important to note that professional comps are based solely on play style, not the quality of the player. So, no, McKenna is not Kucherov, nor is he guaranteed to be at any point. When watching the tape, that’s the player he best resembles. 

#1 Maple Leafs – Gavin McKenna (LW)

Penn St. (B1G – NCAA): 35GP – 15G – 51P

McKenna, after an all-world season with Medicine Hat in the OHL, was largely considered the consensus first overall pick. After a slow start to his freshman college season, some questions started to arise about whether the first overall pick was as clear. After picking up and finishing as one of the best players in the NCAA, those questions have largely been answered. Expect McKenna to be a Toronto Maple Leaf.

Professional Comp: Nikita Kucherov

#2 Sharks – Ivar Stenberg (LW/RW)

Frölunda HC (SHL): 43GP – 11G – 33P

Stenberg’s path is a little less clear. Plenty of mock drafts have him slipping as far as fifth overall. Although San Jose needs some serious help on the blueline, the Sharks will most likely go with their future running mate to Macklin Celebrini. Stenberg can very well be the biggest slip candidate of the draft, but for now, it seems most likely that he will end up in San Jose.

Professional Comp: Daniel Sedin

#3 Canucks – Caleb Malhotra (C)

Brandtford Bulldogs (OHL): 67GP – 29G – 84P

Vancouver, kicking off its rebuild, will likely look to build along the blueline or up the middle. Even if Stenberg is available, Malhotra or Reid seems inevitable. His father, Manny, is now the head coach and former player for the Canucks. For that reason, alongside his 1C potential, Malhotra to the Canucks seems very likely.

Professional Comp: Ryan O’Reilly

#4 Blackhawks – Chase Reid (D)

Soo Greyhounds (OHL): 45GP – 18G – 48P

Although Chicago is looking for help along the walls, it would be tough to pass up on Reid. In the event Reid is selected second (a very possible reality) the remainder of Stenberg and Malhotra would be the easy pick. Even if that is not the case, Chicago would be landing a potential first-pairing defenseman in Reid.

Professional Comp: Zach Werenski

#5 Rangers – Carson Carels (D)

Prince George Cougars (WHL): 58GP – 20G – 73P

Much debate has been had over who the best defenseman in the draft is. Carels is a name that has only picked up steam and he could very well be picked as high as second overall. After trading away Artemi Panarin, the Rangers may go with a forward here. With that said, the current front office hasn’t exactly prioritized the blueline. Drafting Carels with his extreme play-driving upside could change that.

Professional Comp: Miro Heiskanen

#6 CGY – Viggo Björck (C/RW)

Djurgårdens IF (SHL): 42GP – 6G – 15P

Björck is an interesting case. In an era where size has been overlooked, it’s doubtful that teams make the same mistake. Guys like Cole Caufield, Alex DeBrincat, and the Hutsons are more recent examples of players who slipped way further than they should have. Björck’s production at the Swedish pro level is a slight red flag, but his potential is sky-high. Calgary, in this case, takes the gamble.

Professional Comp: Logan Stankoven

#7 Kraken – Keaton Verhoeff (D)

North Dakota (NCHC – NCAA): 36GP – 6G – 20P

Some “way too early” mock drafts had Verhoeff going as high as second overall after a stellar season in the WHL. His freshman season at North Dakota has raised some questions and, unlike McKenna, has made him slip. There’s still some belief that Verhoeff is a high-floor, low-ceiling type of player. Seattle, with a less-than-impressive U23 defensive group, goes with Verhoeff at 7OA.

Professional Comp: Alex Pietrangelo

#8 Jets – Tynan Lawrence (C)

Boston University (Hockey East – NCAA): 18GP – 2G – 7P

It’s difficult to mock draft for a team that probably had the largest delta between preseason expectations and where they ended up. In this case, they would go with the 17-year-old who split time between the USHL’s Muskegon and BU. Although he struggled to produce at the college level, not every 17-year-old freshman will post over a point per game the way McKenna did. Just seeing him make the jump after a successful USHL career should be enough for the Jets to take the young center.

Professional Comp: Nico Hischier

#9 Senators – Albert Smits (D)

Jukurit (Liiga): 38GP – 6G – 13P

The Brady Tkachuk era is over for the Senators. With a wealth of fresh draft capital, including this ninth overall pick, they have a chance to catapult their U25 pool to the league’s best. Smits seems like a very, very promising young defenseman who could anchor their blueline for many years. Along with Jake Sanderson, the Sens may end up with a very promising defensive core after June 26th.

Professional Comp: Moritz Seider

#10 Predators – Daxon Rudolph (D)

Prince Albert Raiders (WHL): 68GP – 28G – 78P

Nashville very well could be getting an early steal with Rudolph. As franchise legend Roman Josi starts to find his way out of the league, Rudolph projects to be a solid replacement if he can reach his potential. He already has great size for an 18-year-old, and the production is evident. Can he translate it to the NHL? That’s the question the Predators will aim to answer by drafting him. 

Professional Comp: Josh Morrissey

#11 Blues – Ethan Belchetz (LW)

Windsor Spitfires (OHL): 57GP – 34G – 59P

The Robert Thomas situation in St. Louis has been interesting to monitor. For a team that seems to be in a bit of a limbo period, they might look to flip Thomas for assets in the near future. If they do so, Belchetz could be a great replacement down the road with a similar playstyle. The 6-foot-5 power forward does not sacrifice size for skill. Along with his great play in transition, this would be a great pick for the Blues.

Professional Comp: Matthew Knies

#12 Devils – Ryan Lin (D)

Vancouver Giants (WHL): 53GP – 14G – 57P

The defensive group in this draft class continues to shine. As the Devils enter a bit of a retool, selecting a play-driving defenseman like Lin could be a huge addition if he can develop. Lin is consistent and has almost always produced at a point-per-game plus for many years. Even with his smaller frame, the Devils could seriously benefit from a player with his profile.

Professional Comp: Quinn Hughes-ish

#13 Islanders – Oliver Suvanto (C)

Tappara (Liiga): 48GP – 2G – 11P

Suvanto is a 17-year-old with a professional frame and professional experience under his belt. Although his stats aren’t pretty, he led the few 17-year-old Liiga players in points. Some may consider this a big swing or even a reach. The durability of Jordan Staal, one of his draft comparables, in the NHL Finals was on full display. The Islanders, a playoff hopeful for years to come, may want a guy like that in their pipeline.

Professional Comp: Jordan Staal

#14 Blue Jackets – Malte Gustafsson (D)

HV71 (SHL): 27GP – 0G – 3P

Against professional competition, Gustafsson had a tough time producing for a two-way defenseman. On the other hand, his team was on the verge of relegation, so the situation wasn’t ideal for a young blueliner. Although Columbus selected a defenseman in the lottery last year, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for them to take a swing at another as questions about Werenski’s future with the Jackets swirl.

Professional Comp: Mattias Ekholm

#15 Blues – Oscar Hemming (F)

Boston College (Hockey East – NCAA): 19GP – 1G – 8P

St. Louis might go with a defenseman here to balance out their 11th overall pick. With that said, picking Hemming doubles down on a draft identity that is hard to play against. While skill and speed dominate the NHL, take a look at the recent Cup-winning teams and their identity. A lot of them surround their skill with even more strength, power, and durability. 

Professional Comp: Brady Tkachuk

#16 Capitals – Xavier Villeneuve (D)

Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL): 37GP – 6G – 38P

Villeneuve fits an archetype that is becoming increasingly common among young, offense-minded defensemen. At his best, Villeneuve can draw pressure and set up the offense like a star forward would. Only he can do so from the blue line downhill. Like his professional comps, he is a candidate to slip due to his size. Doubtful teams make that mistake once again.

Professional Comp: Lane/Cole Hutson

#17 Kings – Wyatt Cullen (F)

USNTDP (USHL): 15GP – 6G – 16P

Cullen can be found all over first-round mocks, but LA seems to be a solid destination for the Minnesota commit. His flashy playstyle would certainly sell tickets, but it also gives him serious top-six potential for a team that could use some star power. Not only is he aesthetically pleasing to watch, but he also has great offensive instincts, making him a complete threat across the red line.

Professional Comp: Jason Robertson

#18 Capitals – Nikita Klepov (F)

Saginaw Spirit (OHL): 67GP – 37G – 97P

The Caps have a chance to go from one Russian star to another. Klepov filled the stat sheet last season, but some concerns about his true fit in the NHL have caused him to drop. For context, he led the OHL in scoring as a rookie. The last player to do so was Patrick Kane. It will be interesting to see if any lottery teams bet on Klepov’s upside. If not, Washington seems like an excellent fit.

Professional Comp: Artturi Lehkonen

#19 Mammoth – Adam Novotny (LW/RW)

Peterborough Petes (OHL): 58GP – 34G – 65P

After their first playoff appearance in their new home, the Mammoth proved their worth. With that said, Novotny plays a powerful offensive game that is vital for playoff hockey and could serve Utah very well. For a later first-round pick, his timetable shouldn’t be terribly long and could be a valuable addition to a growing Mammoth squad.

Professional Comp: Smaller Valeri Nichushkin

#20 Sabres – Juho Piiparinen (D)

Tappara (Liiga): 29GP – 0G – 3P

After trading a defenseman to move up to pick 20, the Sabres clearly have a guy in mind. Piiparinen, like many defensemen in this draft class, fits the mold of a modern NHL top-pairing defenseman. At 17 years old, his timetable is long, but the upside is there, and the Sabres could use another potential stud to round out their blueline.

Professional Comp: Esa Lindell

#21 Flyers – Alexander Command (C)

Örebro HK U20 (SHL U20): 30GP – 17G – 44P

The first overseas player in the draft who did not spend considerable time in the pro league. Command did not log a point in his six games with the SHL roster, but he rocked with the U20 squad. The center man plays a responsible game and could prove valuable up the middle. Although unlikely to be a 1C, his projection as a second or third line center is certainly valuable.

Professional Comp: Elias Lindholm

#22 Penguins – Elton Hermansson (RW/LW)

MoDo Hockey (HockeyAllsvenskan): 38GP – 11G – 21P

Hermansson has some filling out to do if he wants to survive in the NHL. With that said, he has the skill set of a future middle-six winger. The offensive toolbox is there, and with an aging core, Hermansson could prove valuable as the changing of the guard begins. With MoDo Hockey in the second Swedish league, he has a chance to lead a promotion bid into the SHL next season. 

Professional Comp: Viktor Arvidsson

#23 Bruins – Liam Ruck (F)

Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL): 68GP – 45G – 104P

Like Klepov, Ruck’s draft position does not reflect the production he put together. Because his value is found further away from the puck, finding soft spots in the defense and exploiting them, teams may not be as interested in spending a premium pick on him. A team like Boston, however, should be all over a player with his profile as they look to bolster their offensive versatility.

Professional Comp: Sam Reinhart

#24 Canucks – Ilia Morozov (C)

Miami University (NCHC – NCAA): 36GP – 8G – 20P

A “swing for the fences” draft mentality would call for drafting Morozov much higher than 24th overall. A 17-year-old, just barely of draft age, playing NCHC hockey at a productive level is attractive to many scouts. Oh, and he stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 201 pounds. For Vancouver, there is no reason not to bet on the ceiling Morozov possesses. 

Professional Comp: Adam Lowry

#25 Senators – Jack Hextall (C)

Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): 59GP – 20G – 58P

Offensively, Hextall really has the full package for where he is in his development. The Michigan State commit will have a chance to show his skills as an 18-year-old in a stacked conference. For the Sens, they would leave the first round with a new defensive prospect and a potential middle-six center. Great value after initially only owning the 32nd overall pick in this year’s draft.

Professional Comp: Travis Konecny

#26 Rangers – Mathis Preston (F)

Spokane Chiefs/Vancouver Giants (WHL): 46GP – 18G – 44P

Like Seattle, the blue shirts would leave with a prospect on both sides of the red line. Preston has a profile similar to that of the recently traded Panarin. Still, Preston has a long way to go in order to make the jump. It will be interesting to see how Preston matures his playstyle as he works to make the NHL roster over the next few years.

Professional Comp: Kevin Fiala

#27 Sharks – Tommy Bleyl (D)

Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL): 63GP – 13G – 81P

Bleyl is a player who can do many things right. That is, in part, due to his age and the fact that he will be turning 19 this upcoming season. Committed to Michigan State for the 2027-28 season, it’s unlikely he makes the full-time jump until even 2029-2030. Regardless, it would be tough for the Sharks to leave the draft without some sort of defensive talent. Bleyl, if available, would be a great option for the Sharks at this pick.

Professional Comp: Brock Faber

#28 Canadiens – Marcus Nordmark (LW)

Djurgårdens IF U20 (SHL U20): 25GP – 14G – 38P

The Habs probably would not be too stoked to see Bleyl go one spot ahead of them. In fact, this selection could be a potential trade candidate for a team like the Blackhawks or Flames to trade up into from the second round. If not, Nordmark would be a solid option who could put some relief on their salary cap if he pans out.

Professional Comp: Mika Zibanejad

#29 Blues – William Hakansson (D)

Luleå HF (SHL): 22GP – 0G – 2P

Almtuna IS (HockeyAllsvenskan loan): 16GP – 2G – 4P

Hakansson bounced around and, ultimately, his offensive stats are unimpressive, but his value lies entirely in what he offers off the stat sheet. He is a true stay-at-home defenseman who can effectively quarterback the transition game. Is that the profile a team wants to use a first-round draft pick on? Maybe not. But with his mobility, it’s very possible he develops an offensive game that makes him a quality top-four blueliner.

Professional Comp: Alex Vlasic

#30 Flames – Ben Macbeath (D)

Calgary Hitmen (WHL): 67GP – 7G – 51P

Much like Hakansson, Macbeath’s value is in his mobility and responsible play. The Flames probably have plenty of tape on him as well, considering the Hitmen play on the same sheet of ice. Adding Macbeath to an already respectable group of young defensemen would be a solid choice for the Flames.

Professional Comp: Devon Toews

#31 Hurricanes – Tobias Trejbal (G)

Youngstown Phantoms (USHL): 42GP – 2.12GAA – .916SV%

Although Brandan Bussi’s story is one for the history books, it seems fairly clear that he won’t be the franchise goaltender. Carolina could very well trade out of this pick – they’ve traded out with the Blackhawks the last two drafts – but they could also take the young, promising netminder. Intrigued to see what he accomplishes with UMass next season.

Professional Comp: Darcy Kuemper

#32 Senators – Maddox Dagenais (C)

Québec Remparts (QMJHL): 62GP – 30G – 62P

Ottawa’s own pick sits last in the first round, a punishment related to the Dadonov trade fiasco. But, on the bright side, the 2026 draft is particularly deep with talent. Dagenais has some filling out to do. He’s probably about 20 pounds lighter than his 6-foot-4 height should accommodate at the NHL. He’s an extremely powerful skater and can get in behind defenses with ease. His profile is different enough from Hextall’s that the Sens can take two centermen in the first draft and be confident in that choice.

Professional Comp: Alex Tuch

Notables left off:

• Ryan Roobroeck (C)
• Brooks Rogowski (C)
• Yegor Shilov (C)