With the conclusion of the world juniors and the NHL season beyond its halfway point, the 2026 draft is quickly entering the forefront of discussions across the hockey world. 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced this week the draft will be hosted at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center in June, becoming the first arena to host the event in its decentralized format since it was introduced at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles last year.

The NHL’s Central Scouting department also released its mid-term rankings, headlined by Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Keaton Verhoeff, sparking debate among scouts and prospect enthusiasts. Player evaluation for this class is becoming more intriguing with each passing day.

Considering the current NHL standings and the organizational needs of the teams positioned to select in the lottery, 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 Jan. 15, 2026)

NHL mock draft: Top 16 picks

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

Stenberg took his game to new heights in the biggest moments of the world juniors. He was just as dangerous as a distributor as he was a finisher, and his ability to break down defenses and make high-end plays under pressure made him one of the tournament’s best players. He scored a game-winning goal in his return to Frolunda, and his historic scoring pace in the Swedish League will make him a top-three pick this summer.

2. Winnipeg Jets: Penn State (NCAA) left wing Gavin McKenna

McKenna’s showing at the world juniors was cause for debate. He finished second in tournament scoring while being a catalyst on the best power play at the event. His play off the puck and his overall compete level still left a lot to be desired, however. He has the tools to be a generational offensive talent, but his spot as the No. 1 pick in this draft is no longer a lock. Winnipeg needs another top-end winger anyway.

3. Calgary Flames: North Dakota (NCAA) defenseman Keaton Verhoeff

With Rasmus Andersson trade rumors intensifying, the Flames could land a long-term replacement in Verhoeff as a right-shot defenseman who can log big minutes and play in all on-ice situations. There wasn’t a ton of opportunity for him at the world juniors to showcase his skills with Team Canada, but a big second half at North Dakota should reinforce his status as the top blueliner in this class.

4. St. Louis Blues: Boston University (NCAA) center Tynan Lawrence

Lawrence suited up for his first three games of college hockey after leaving the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks to join Boston University. He centered the team’s top line alongside two top prospects in the NCAA, Cole Eiserman and Ryder Ritchie. While there’s clearly going to be an adjustment period, his motor, defensive contributions and ability to elevate teammates will translate well and should make for an intriguing push to become the top pick in this draft.

5. New York Rangers: Jukurit (Finland) defenseman Alberts Smits

Smits’ draft stock skyrocketed after his showing at the world juniors. He averaged the second-most ice time in the tournament at 23:40, was responsible for handling every tough matchup Latvia faced, and was the driving force of the team’s offense. The 18-year-old was named to Latvia’s Olympic team, and with another impressive showing, he could be the first defender off the board this summer.

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

At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, Belchetz has the frame of an enforcer with the vision and IQ of a playmaker, making him a one-of-a-kind prospect in this class. His biggest concern this season has been his skating and overall pace, but he still feels like a solid top-six forward with a set of tools that teams don’t typically let slide beyond the top five. The Blackhawks could eventually play him with Connor Bedard or Frank Nazar.

7. Anaheim Ducks: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) defenseman Chase Reid

Reid is a talented athlete who processes offense at a very high level while defending with purpose. There are few players with his tools in this class. There were times when his aggressiveness in driving play at the world juniors worked against him, but he never let mistakes discourage him. His willingness to be a difference-maker with each shift is admirable, and he could help an aging right side of the Ducks’ defense.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets: Djurgarden (Sweden) center Viggo Bjorck

Despite being Sweden’s youngest player at the world juniors, Bjorck was right there with Stenberg as one of the most effective forwards of the tournament. He stood out on the power play and penalty kill, was an aggressive forechecker who won more battles than he lost despite being 5-foot-9 and displayed his crafty playmaking ability with a pace of play that few could match. He proved he has a skill set that can’t be overlooked.

9. Nashville Predators: Tappara (Finland) center Oliver Suvanto

Suvanto feels like a center the Predators wouldn’t pass on at this point in the draft, regardless of where his talents rank among the top forwards in this class. His skating issues were the biggest factor preventing him from creating offense at the world juniors, but there’s still a ton to like about what he could bring to the NHL level with his defensive details, proficiency as a net-front presence and tenacious forechecking.

10. Utah Mammoth: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL) defenseman Xavier Villeneuve

Villeneuve would bring an element of offense to the Mammoth’s defensive core that the team doesn’t have. He’s earned comparisons to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson with his dynamic skating ability, offensive deception and willingness to drive play from the back end. He projects as a high-end power-play quarterback at the NHL level and could put up strong production in a high-octane offensive system like Utah’s.

11. New Jersey Devils: Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin

The Devils could go in a few directions with this selection, considering their issues with preventing and generating offense this season. That said, Lin’s defensive maturity makes it hard to believe he’ll be on the board beyond this point in the draft. As trade rumors involving Dougie Hamilton continue to circulate, there could be some runway for Lin to develop and show off his offensive capabilities in this Devils’ system as well.

12. Ottawa Senators: Forfeited draft pick

The Ottawa Senators must forfeit this year’s draft pick after failing 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. They had to forfeit one first-round pick in either 2024, 2025 or 2026, and they already drafted Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler. If they trade for another first-rounder, they could use a winger.

13. Los Angeles Kings: Prince Albert (WHL) defenseman Daxon Rudolph

It’s no secret that the Kings’ defensive core is aging aside from Brandt Clarke and Mikey Anderson, so taking Rudolph here makes sense. Rudolph has been on an offensive tear as of late, going on a 13-game point streak in which he put up 11 goals and 24 points with the Prince Albert Raiders. That layer of offense could easily make him a top-10 pick on top of what he provides with his smooth skating, size and defensive ability.

14. San Jose Sharks: Peterborough (OHL) left wing Adam Novotny

Novotny had a much better world juniors with Czechia than his three assists would indicate. He led the tournament in total shots and showed some playmaking flashes despite primarily making an impact in his forechecking and penalty-killing. The Sharks already have high-end offensive skill within their system and could use a player of Novotny’s defensive stature to round out what is already one of the top prospect pools in the NHL.

15. Chicago Blackhawks (via Florida): Prince George (WHL) defenseman Carson Carels

Much like Verhoeff, Carels was sheltered in his role with Team Canada, but he’s proven to be trusted in all on-ice situations at the WHL level. He’s great at defending on the rush and can problem-solve effectively when facing oncoming pressure. Offensively, he doesn’t shy away from jumping in the rush and creates chances for himself and others in a way that’s projectable in the NHL.

16. Seattle Kraken: Vancouver Giants (WHL) right wing Mathis Preston

Preston was recently traded to the Vancouver Giants and has fit seamlessly, putting up three points in his first two games. He provides a combination of speed, skill and compete that could have him be a top-six forward in the NHL. With some older players on the wing in Seattle, Preston could fit well within the Kraken’s organizational timeline and would be a great selection in this range.

AI-assisted summary
• The Texans’ defense ranked among the league’s best during the regular season in yards allowed, points allowed, and takeaways.
• Players credit their success to a close-knit, ‘college-esque’ camaraderie and the ‘swarm culture’ instilled by head coach DeMeco Ryans.

PITTSBURGH – Will Anderson Jr. had a dream. 

“I said ‘Look, I’m not Martin Luther King,’” Anderson said about his interaction with teammate Sheldon Rankins before the Houston Texans departed for Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in the wild-card round. “But, ‘I had a dream that you had a scoop. But I don’t know what’s going to happen.’ The dream went blank after that.”

Lost to Anderson’s REM cycle was something that played out perfectly for the Texans. In the fourth quarter of their eventual 30-6 thrashing of the Steelers, Anderson Jr. and Rankins combined to sack Aaron Rodgers, who lost the ball (Anderson received credit for the forced fumble). Rankins picked up the pigskin and scampered 33 yards for a touchdown that took a 10-6 game to a 17-6 difference with 11:23 remaining. Houston’s defense wasn’t done scoring – Calen Bullock iced the game, and potentially Rodgers’ career, by picking off a pass and returning it 50 yards for the game’s final score. 

The Texans’ defense, led by head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke, has been dominant for an entire season. The Seattle Seahawks are the lone Super Bowl contender with a claim as legitimate as the Texans’ for best defense in the league. Houston finished the regular season first in yards allowed per game (277.2) and then surrendered 175 net yards to the Steelers. They allowed the second-fewest points per game (17.4, while the Seahawks were 17.2). The Texans were third in total takeaways (29) and finished tied for seventh in sacks. No team allowed fewer first downs per game than them (16.2). 

“The biggest thing that we were talking about – like, OK what we did in the regular season, it ain’t going to matter when we get into the playoffs” Anderson said. 

He wanted his teammates to keep the same energy while raising the bar and got just that. According to Next Gen Stats, he and Danielle Hunter combined for 15 pressures. The Texans, as a team, generated a 45.9% pressure rate (17 total times). Rodgers had been pressured a league-low 21.5% of his dropbacks during the regular season. The minus-33.4 expected points added (EPA) is the lowest mark by any playoff defense in the last decade. They haven’t allowed a positive EPA-per-dropback since a Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I thought everybody was dialed in,” Anderson, the former Alabama standout, said. “You talking about popping it off, big plays, taking the ball – doing whatever it takes to win the game.” 

With a divisional-round matchup on the road against the New England Patriots on deck, the Texans’ defense has designs on something more than recognition.

“We’re here for it all,” Rankins said. “I won’t sugarcoat or dance around that topic. We’re here for the whole thing. This is just a stepping stone for where we want to go.” 

Texans’ defense being the best ‘for each other’

A 10-year veteran, Rankins would like to think he’s been a part of defenses in which he’s been able to trust the other 10 guys on the field as he has done with the 2025 Texans. But this group takes the cake, he said.

“I also think we have a special, close group,” he said. “I think I’ve been a part of some special groups, but the closeness hasn’t always been to this level. It almost, to a degree – especially with how many younger playmakers we have, it almost has a college-esque feel.” 

The inside jokes and light-hearded ribbing. That not only breeds camaraderie in the locker room, Rankins said, but spills over onto the field. 

“How we play for each other,” he said, “not just with each other.”   

Coaches can use that to their advantage. Because guys know one another so well, communication is easier. 

“Instead of a guy having to shout something, it can be a look, it can be a hand signal, a wink here, a wink there, or just even if it’s getting a guy’s attention, a guy can know exactly what that means and go out there and execute it fast,” Rankins explained. “I think that camaraderie, that togetherness that we have throughout the building, throughout the locker room, definitely spills over. It allows us to just go out there and play for each other, but play fast while doing it.” 

Houston safety Jalen Pitre said having guys who think of themselves as offensive players has made the Texans’ other unit lethal. 

“These are offensive players that play defense,” he said. 

Pitre said they’ll let those outside the locker room determine whether they are the best unit in the NFL. 

“I never really think about that,” he said. “I know we have a talented group. But I never really think about ‘Who is the best?’ and all that stuff. Like, we just show up ready to execute and let the numbers speak for themselves.”

“We take pride in that,” said Rankins, who gave the offense props for controlling the clock and converting third downs to stay on the field against Pittsburgh. 

Any defense would sign up for that type of performance from the other side of the ball, Rankins said. 

“That allows us to really pin our ears back and put pressure on teams,” he said. “Because if our offense is doing that, the pressure is on their offense to match it.”  

Ryans tells his team they can shut any offense down. The confidence flows from the coaching staff to the players, who keep a chip on their shoulder every time they show up for work. 

“That’s our mindset: we’re the best defense,” Bullock said. “So we got to show it and work throughout the week to prove that we’re a great defense. So when we go out there, we got that confidence, nothing can hold us back.” 

Texans surge from 0-3 to earn opponents’ respect

Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter knew the unit had the potential to dominate based on offseason workouts. 

“Seeing guys doing what they’re doing now,” he said. “Seeing the d-line go hunt. Seeing the (linebackers) do what they do. Communicate, lead, seeing the back end play sticky, play physical, play fast. We knew we had something special.” 

A lot of people counted out the Texans after their 0-3 start, Bullock said. 

“We set a goal. We knew we had the guys,” he said. “We worked every single day to be the best defense.

“We just kept our head down, and we kept pushing.”

When they were 0-3, and Andreson saw how the team kept responding, “everybody rallying together, that’s when I knew what our foundation was.” He tipped his hat to Ryans and “what he’s instilled.” The coach wanted a ‘swarm culture. “

“That’s what’s been built here,” Anderson said.  

It’s something Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel noticed. 

“They’re not only talented,” Vrabel said Wednesday, “but they have a play demeanor that I can appreciate.”

What does that mean? Houston chases the football, Vrabel said. Having two demons on the edge in Anderson and Hunter – both of whom also are effective against the run – also helps.  

“If they get blocked,” Vrabel said, “they don’t stay blocked long.” 

“All the hype is deserving from what I’ve seen,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to stay ahead of the chains. We’ve got a tough task. We’ll have our hands full.”

Patriots center Garrett Bradbury said he sees the San Francisco 49ers and Robert Saleh’s influence on Ryans’ scheme. Houston will dare New England to run the ball. So the Patriots must do so efficiently. That’s a challenge every offensive lineman wants, Bradbury said. 

“I think what you see is who they are,” Bradbury told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s what DeMeco prides that team on. They’re a really good defense.

“They want to rush the passer every single play, and they’re gonna rush the passer on the way to stopping the run.” 

“It’ll be a great matchup,” Bradbury added. “I’m excited for the game.”

AI-assisted summary
• Indiana, LSU, and Texas Tech are highlighted for having some of the best transfer classes this cycle.
• New coaches, like Eric Morris at Oklahoma State, often use the portal to bring in a large number of new players.
• Key player acquisitions include quarterbacks Josh Hoover to Indiana and Brendan Sorsby to Texas Tech.

Smart teams approach the transfer portal with specific needs and goals, identifying plug-and-play additions who can lift a program from eight wins to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff — as was the case with Texas Tech this season.

Or, in the case of Indiana, from the cellar of the Big Ten nearly to the top of the Football Bowl Subdivision.

But there are also cases where new coaches need to use the big-tent approach of grabbing as many new players as they can to rapidly rebuild a roster. The best example of that in this year’s cycle is Oklahoma State and new coach Eric Morris.

∎ Transfers by conference: SEC | Big Ten | ACC | Big 12

The portal is closing Friday night but the fun isn’t quite over yet, as players who entered before the deadline can still sign with a new program and be eligible this season.

While there will be more additions in the coming weeks, here are the best transfer classes to date, starting with the Hoosiers, LSU and Red Raiders:

Indiana

Best transfers: QB Josh Hoover, WR Nick Marsh, OG Joe Brunner

The unbeaten Hoosiers found their next starting quarterback in Hoover (TCU). They found a new top-level receiver in Marsh (Michigan State) and a productive Power Four back in Turbo Richard (Boston College). They’ll rebuild up front behind Brunner (Wisconsin), maybe the best offensive lineman on the market. And to top things off, Indiana added immediate help on the defensive line and an all-conference defensive back in A.J. Harris (Penn State).

LSU

Best transfers: QB Sam Leavitt, S Ty Benefield, WR Jayce Brown

Leavitt (Arizona State) is one of three transfer quarterbacks in this class, along with Husan Longstreet (Southern California) and Landen Clark (Elon). Lane Kiffin also added maybe the portal’s most impactful defensive back in Benefield (Boise State) while rebuilding the Tigers’ receiver corps with Brown (Kansas State), Eugene Wilson (Florida), Winston Watkins (Ole Miss) and Tre’ Brown III (Old Dominion).

Texas Tech

Best transfers: QB Brendan Sorsby, DT Mateen Ibirogba, LB Austin Romaine

One of the top overall players in the portal, Sorsby (Cincinnati) brings Big 12 experience and an NFL-ready skill set to the starting job. Tech added another experienced Big 12 contributor in Romaine (Kansas State), a starter since midway through his freshman year. Ibirogba (Wake Forest) was an all-conference pick in the ACC and one of six linemen set to join the roster, including edge Adam Trick (Maryland) and defensive tackle Bryce Butler (Washington).

Virginia Tech

Best transfers: EDGE Javion Hilson, WR Que’Sean Brown, EDGE Kamauryn Morgan

James Franklin pulled over several players from Penn State, including tight end Luke Reynolds and quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. The Hokies were especially productive in adding edge rushers, with Morgan (Baylor) and Hilson (Missouri) joined by a run of ex-Nittany Lions in Cortez Harris, Mylachi Williams and Daniel Jennings.

Texas

Best transfers: WR Cam Coleman, DT Ian Geffrard, RB Hollywood Smothers

This is a smaller transfer class headlined by the type of players who can lift the Longhorns back into the playoff. That includes high-profile newcomers who can support Arch Manning’s development in Coleman (Auburn) and Smothers (North Carolina State). Defensively, Texas added two huge pieces to the front seven in Geffrard (Arkansas) and former All-ACC linebacker Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh).

Ole Miss

Best transfers: OT Carius Curne, WR Darrell Gill Jr., CB Jay Crawford

Along with Curne (LSU) and Gill (Syracuse), the Rebels’ offense adds quarterback Deuce Knight (Auburn) as the potential new starter. While young, Curne has the frame and athleticism to develop into one of the best in the SEC. Crawford (Auburn) is a proven starter on the outside with room for growth. Running back Kewan Lacy doesn’t count in this group, but retaining him for another year might’ve been the biggest off-field win of the newly minted Pete Golding era.

Penn State

Best transfers: QB Rocco Becht, S Marcus Neal Jr., WR Chase Sowell

Penn State’s 36-player class includes a bunch of big pieces from last year’s offense under Matt Campbell at Iowa State, including Becht, Sowell, running back Carson Hansen, tight end Ben Brahmer and interior lineman Trevor Buhr. Likewise with the defense: Neal, fellow safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Jamison Patton, tackle Ikenna Ezeogu and linebackers Caleb Bacon and Kooper Ebel will help ease the transition to a new staff and make the Nittany Lions a Big Ten contender.

Louisville

Best transfers: S Koen Entringer, TE Brody Foley, WR Tre Richardson

Louisville and coach Jeff Brohm continue to do excellent work in the portal. Entringer (Iowa) is a huge get for a defense that really needs his experience and proven production; he considered the NFL draft before joining the Cardinals. The offense added quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (Ohio State) and one of the cycle’s strongest collections of pass-catchers, including Foley (Tulsa), Richardson (Vanderbilt) and Lawayne McCoy (Florida State).

Kentucky

Best transfers: QB Kenny Minchey, OT Lance Heard, S Jordan Castell

Kentucky and new coach Will Stein have made some noise. Minchey (Notre Dame) was briefly committed to Nebraska before being flipped to the Wildcats. Castell (Florida) is a veteran SEC starter who can help with the development of a young but talented transfer haul at linebacker. Where the Wildcats have excelled is in overhauling the offensive line with Heard (Tennessee) and guards Tegra Tshabola (Ohio State) and Coleton Price (Baylor). Stein also remade the backfield by bringing in CJ Baxter (Texas) and Jovantae Barnes (Oklahoma).

Oklahoma State

Best transfers: QB Drew Mestemaker, LB Isaiah Chisom, RB Caleb Hawkins

Like Campbell at Penn State, Morris brought in a huge chunk of his key players from North Texas, led by Mestemaker, Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young. These pieces will lead to a huge improvement from this season’s putrid offense. The defense will feature an influx of Power Four transfers such as Chisom (UCLA), Louisville lineman Jerry Lawson, linebacker Tate Romney (Arizona State) and cornerback Trudell Berry (Vanderbilt).

Teenager Macklin Celebrini is doing his utmost to become only the third teenager to win the NHL’s Hart Trophy.

Celebrini broke out in a big way this season, recording 24 goals and 70 points in the first 45 games. He already has more points than the 63 he had in 70 games last season, and he has more than double the number of points as the second-highest scorer on San Jose.

Unfortunately for him, the 19-year-old phenom has Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon standing in his way.

While Celebrini has his work cut out to join the exclusive teenager Hart Trophy club, his quest provides the perfect platform to discuss the NHL’s five youngest-ever MVPs.

Five youngest Hart Trophy winners in NHL history

5. Bobby Orr (22 years old)

Bobby Orr won his first of three straight Hart Trophies in his fourth season after turning 22 late in the season. He finished the 1969-70 campaign with 33 goals, 87 assists and 120 points. That was 21 more points than second-place Phil Esposito. 

Orr had 125 penalty minutes, the second-most in his venerable career. He put up 51 power-play points, one fewer than his career-best 52 in 1974-75. 

4. Eric Lindros (22 years old)

Eric Lindros won his only Hart Trophy in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 campaign. He notched 29 goals and 41 assists for 70 points in 46 games, tying the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jaromir Jagr for the scoring lead. 

Lindros, who turned 22 in February 1995, scored the most points per game (1.52) en route to winning MVP honors in his third season. Lindros’ storied career was cut short due to repeated concussions, with the star retiring in 2007. He reportedly sustained six concussions from 1998 to 2000. 

3. Connor McDavid (20 years old)

McDavid won his first of three Hart Trophies in 2016-17, his second year in the NHL. McDavid also won the Art Ross Trophy, finishing with 100 points (30 goals and 70 assists) in 82 games, 11 points ahead of Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane. 

The Oilers captain finished that campaign with a plus-27, the third-best plus-minus rating of his career thus far. He also took MVP plaudits in 2020-21 and 2022-23.

2. Wayne Gretzky (19 years old)

It didn’t take long for people to realize Wayne Gretzky would become the Great One. In fact, Gretzky won his first of a record nine Hart Trophies in his first NHL season in 1979-80. 

However, he wasn’t eligible to win the Calder Trophy due to spending a season in the World Hockey Association beforehand. That technicality doesn’t take away from Gretzky’s wondrous first NHL season, where he scored 51 goals and added 86 assists, tying Marcel Dionne for the most points. 

It was the first of eight successive Hart Trophies for Gretzky, a record that probably won’t be broken. 

1. Sidney Crosby (19 years old)

When he could still be referred to as ‘Sid the Kid,’ Crosby became the second teenager to take home the Hart Trophy, following in Gretzky’s footsteps. The then-19-year-old scored 36 goals and 84 assists for 120 points in 79 games during the 2006-07 campaign, the most of his illustrious career thus far.

Over 50 percent of Crosby’s overall point production came on the power play, with his 61 power-play points being a career high. His first of two Hart Trophies came a year after losing out on the Calder Trophy to Alex Ovechkin. 

Crosby also won the Hart Trophy in 2013-14.