All articles tagged with #nhl draft 2026
Corey Pronman’s early 2026 NHL Draft rankings place Gavin McKenna, Chase Reid and Keaton Verhoeff atop a defense-heavy class, with five defensemen in the top seven and no clear No. 1. McKenna has surged as NCAA scoring leader, while Reid and Verhoeff sit in a tight top tier, suggesting a strong but balanced group rather than a game-changing franchise pick.
The Minnesota Wild acquired defenseman Jeff Petry from the Florida Panthers for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, which can become a fifth-round pick if Minnesota wins two playoff rounds and Petry plays in at least half of the Wild’s playoff games in those rounds. Petry, 38, has 58 games with Florida this season (8 assists, 22 penalty minutes, 45 shots) and a 16-year NHL résumé including playoff appearances with Montreal; he will wear No. 2 for Minnesota as they prepare to face the Vegas Golden Knights.
Gavin McKenna, projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, scored a goal and two assists as Penn State’s outdoor game at Beaver Stadium drew 74,575 fans, but Michigan State won 5-4 in overtime. The 18-year-old’s performance highlighted his elite talent and team-first approach, contributing to Penn State’s first three goals and reinforcing his status atop NCAA rookie metrics (32 points in 24 games) while underscoring the program’s rapid growth.
Ivar Stenberg of Frolunda leads NHL Central Scouting’s midterm ranking of international skaters for the 2026 NHL Draft, with Alberts Smits, Oliver Suvanto, Elton Hermansson and Viggo Bjorck rounding out the top five. Stenberg, who has 24 points in 25 SHL games, also helped Sweden win gold at the 2026 World Junior Championship, underscoring his status as a top prospect ahead of the draft in Buffalo.
Gavin McKenna, a highly touted 17-year-old hockey prospect and favorite for the 2026 NHL Draft, made an impressive college debut for Penn State, earning two assists and showcasing his skill, poise, and calmness under pressure in a game broadcast on NHL Network.
Gavin McKenna, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft and 2025 CHL Player of the Year, has committed to Penn State University, marking a significant move in college hockey and potentially influencing the top picks of the upcoming NHL Draft, with McKenna known for his elite offensive skills and skating ability.