With the NHL season paused for the 2026 Winter Olympics, attention is turning to the future of the league. Mock drafts are providing a glimpse into what the top 16 picks could look like at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and several young Canadian players are expected to be highly sought after.
Gavin McKenna, currently playing college hockey at Penn State University, is a name frequently mentioned as a potential first-overall pick. The Yukon native previously starred in the Western Hockey League with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Other Canadians projected to go high in the first round include Keaton Verhoeff, a right-handed defenceman playing at the University of North Dakota, and Tynan Lawrence, a center at Boston University. Chase Reid from the Soo Greyhounds and Ethan Belchetz from the Windsor Spitfires are also highly ranked OHL prospects. Caleb Malhotra, son of former NHLer Manny Malhotra, is another OHL player drawing attention.
The mock drafts highlight the strength of Canadian talent coming through the junior ranks. Carson Carels, a defenceman with the Prince George Cougars, and Ryan Lin from the Vancouver Giants are other WHL players expected to be drafted. Sean Burick, a towering 6'8" defenceman for the Penticton Vees, is also generating buzz. The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) continue to be key development pathways for these young players.
As the NHL teams gear up for the draft, these mock drafts offer a preview of the next generation of stars who could be making an impact on the ice in the coming years. It remains to be seen where these young Canadians will land, but their talent and potential are undeniable.
