Tynan Lawrence’s Meteoric Rise Shakes Up 2026 NHL Draft Rankings—What Happened to Gavin McKenna?
As we dive into the latest scoop on the 2026 NHL Draft class, there’s a fresh breeze shaking up the usual order — Muskegon’s very own Tynan Lawrence has snagged the coveted No. 1 spot, reshuffling the top of the pack in a draft that, frankly, hasn’t dazzled like some past years. Sure, this crop lacks a standout star burning bright on the horizon, but it’s far from a snooze fest. What’s really popped out to me this season is the remarkable climb of several centers who, not long ago, seemed ordinary at best. Suddenly, those once overlooked pivots are making waves, injecting some much-needed juice into a class once criticized for its blandness at center ice. It’s a landscape under flux, filled with promising talent waiting to make their mark — and I can’t wait to unpack every twist and turn this draft has to offer. LEARN MORE
In my December update of the 2026 NHL Draft class, there’s a notable change at the top, as Muskegon center Tynan Lawrence grabs the No. 1 position. Overall, the draft looks below average at the moment, with a handful of exciting prospects at the top but no clear star-caliber name. A class that looked dreadful at center a few months ago, though, is no longer the case, as several pivots have been clear risers in the first half of the season.
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Tier 1
Tier: Bubble NHL Star and top of the lineup player
Lawrence is an excellent skater with a strong motor who brings a lot of pace and energy to his shifts. He’s a very strong puck handler who creates chances on the move. He isn’t an elite offensive threat due to having good, not great, vision, but he has the traits to be a great two-way play-driving No. 1 center in the NHL who can play in all situations.
Photo:
Courtesy Muskegon Lumberjacks
Skill Grades
Tier 1
C
USHL
Verhoeff is a big two-way defenseman. He’s a strong skater, especially for his size. He isn’t flashy offensively, but he has good skill and makes difficult plays with a great point shot that will be a threat in the NHL. He’s hard on his checks and uses his size. He projects as a tough-minutes top-pair defenseman who could score at a quality clip.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 1
D
NCAA (NCHC)
Stenberg is an electric offensive talent. He’s a high-end puck handler, passer and shooter who can make difficult plays with the puck routinely and is a natural scorer. He isn’t that big or mean, but he works hard and has shown he can win battles against men. His frame and good (but not great) small-guy skating will be concerns on his NHL projection. He could be a top-line winger.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 1
LW
SWEDEN
McKenna is a game-breaker who possesses off-the-charts puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity. He’s a strong skater who can generate a ton of chances with pace. He has a decent shot, but is a pass-first player who projects to run a power play at a high level. He’s not overly physical, but he competes well enough. His play off the puck will be the only minor question in his game. He projects top line winger who will score a ton of points.
Photo:
Chris Coduto / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 1
LW
NCAA (BIG10)
Tier 2
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Smits is a tall defenseman with impressive mobility and smarts. He can make a reliable first pass and has a big point shot, projecting to have quality amounts of offense at the top level. He defends very well due to his length and feet, while also competing hard and being willing to play the body. He projects as a top-four defenseman.
Skill Grades
Tier 2
D
FINLAND
Carels is a strong two-way defender. He’s a powerful, fluid skater who can get up the ice easily. He closes on checks well, using his feet and body to break up a lot of plays. Carels has very good hands and vision and can activate into plays. He doesn’t project as a PP1 type in the NHL, but he should generate offense. He could be a great top-four defenseman who will play significant NHL minutes.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 2
D
WHL
Reid is a talented defenseman with a lot of offensive tools. He has the speed, hands, vision and shot to generate chances and score at the next level. Reid can create in transition and off the blue line with his feet and creativity. Reid has decent length, but he’s not overly physical and is just an average defender. He should make enough stops due to his athleticism that combined with his offense he could be a major minutes defenseman with the traits to run an NHL power play.
Photo:
Soo Greyhounds / OHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 2
D
OHL
Tier 3
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Rudolph is a super smart defenseman. He displays great touch, poise and vision with the puck and can run a power play quite well. Rudolph is a mobile defender who can lead a rush, closes on checks effectively and is a solid defender who competes fine despite not being overly physical, using his long reach to break up plays. In junior, he’s a great two-way player, but in the NHL, he lacks a clear special-teams identity. The tools are so good, though, that he still projects to play notable NHL minutes.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 3
D
WHL
Hurlbert is a dynamic scoring winger who has been off to a great start in the WHL this season. He’s very creative as a puck handler and passer while also having a good shot. With the puck, he looks like an NHL player, but his effort level and speed are average and will be minor concerns for teams projecting a winger with his frame to the top level. The pure offensive talent could still lead to him being a top six forward, likely on the wing although he’s played some center.
Photo:
Rena Laverty / USA Hockey’s NTDP
Skill Grades
Tier 3
LW
WHL
Suvanto is a big, heavy center with a high skill level. He has the hands and offensive sense to make flashy plays off the perimeter, but he plays the game in a direct way that should translate to NHL offense. He’s a competitive two-way center who, despite his so-so skating stride, projects to play tough minutes as a pro. As long as he can handle the pace at the next level, he has the traits to become a second-line center.
Photo:
Patrik Uhlir / CTK via AP Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
C
FINLAND
Belchetz is an elite athlete. He’s massive at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, while having the feet and hands of a smaller forward. He projects to be able to create in transition in the NHL, although there are times you wish he played faster. He plays a heavy game and uses his big frame to win battles and dislodge pucks from opponents. He’s great around the net, showing the skill to create in tight and has a shot that can finish from range. His playmaking is fine, but not a selling point. He projects as a heavy, top-six winger.
Photo:
Natalie Shaver / OHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
LW
OHL
Villeneuve is a dynamic defenseman. He has excellent speed and edge work that allows him to evade a lot of pressure. His hands and vision are high-end, and he projects to score a ton in the NHL. He’s a small, light defenseman who doesn’t play the body, and his defense as a pro will be a significant question mark. His skating and skill combination is so good, though, that I think he will play major minutes and run a first-unit power play.
Photo:
Blainville-Boisbriand Armada / QMJHL
Skill Grades
Tier 3
D
QMJHL
Malhotra is a very skilled center who can make a ton of creative plays. His skating has progressed notably, allowing him to attack with pace. He breaks down opponents one-on-one very well and is a great passer. Malhotra competes very hard, showing a detailed two-way game and potential to play difficult minutes as a pro. He projects as an all-around second-line center.
Photo:
Brandon Taylor / OHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
C
OHL
Rogowski’s tools are easy to see. He’s a 6-foot-7 center who moves very well for his size. He has good puck skills and can generate a lot of controlled entries. His playmaking is just OK, but it’s good enough. He creates offense in the hard areas and is a competitive two-way center. He projects as a second-line pivot.
Photo:
Terry Wilson / OHL Images
Skill Grades
Tier 3
C
OHL
Hermansson is a highly skilled winger. He makes a ton of plays through defenders and to his teammates. He’s a good skater who can play with pace. Without the puck, he’s just OK and can be pushed to the outside when he does have it. He could be a top-six winger, but his playing style may frustrate coaches.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 3
RW
SWEDEN-2
Morozov is a big center who can skate and is playing a major role on Miami’s team this season. He’s good with the puck, although he’s not a true top-tier playmaker. Morozov competes well, is quite physical and uses his big body to win battles. He has a style of play that leads to winning hockey games, and projects as a top-six center.
Photo:
Courtesy USHL
Skill Grades
Tier 3
C
NCAA (NCHC)
Tier 4
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Bjorck is a slick, playmaking center. He has tremendous creativity as both a puck handler and passer. He’s small and a good, not great, skater, which raises some concerns about his NHL projection, particularly if he can stay in the middle. He’s a battler, though, who’s responsible off the puck and held his own versus men this season at the SHL level in terms of the physicality. He projects as a third-line center who can put up points at a notable level.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
SWEDEN
Gustafsson is a large defenseman who is quite mobile for his frame, competes defensively, and has solid puck skill. He’s not a natural puck-mover, but he projects to make a first pass and have secondary NHL offense while being a quality stopper. He could be a No. 4 defenseman.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 4
D
SWEDEN-JR.
Hakansson is a huge defenseman who skates quite well for his size. He competes hard, plays the body and can kill a lot of plays. His pure puck play won’t overly excite teams, but he has decent enough hands and can make a reliable first pass. There’s nothing high-end about his game other than his frame, but he checks all the boxes you would want in an NHL defenseman.
Photo:
Petter Arvidson / Sipa via AP Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
D
SWEDEN
Piiparinen does a lot of things effectively. He’s a mobile right-shot who can skate and pass pucks up the ice well, while also being a solid defender who breaks up a lot of plays. He’s not overly physical, but he gives a solid effort and is often relied on by coaches. His offense won’t pop, but Piiparinen can make plays off the blue line, and he makes a lot of smart decisions. He projects as an NHL regular.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 4
D
FINLAND
Goljer is a well-rounded defense prospect. He’s a big right-shot who skates well. He’s not overly physical, but he works hard, breaks up a lot of plays and retrieves pucks effectively. Goljer won’t stand out offensively, but he has good hands and offensive instincts and can execute difficult plays with the puck, even though at higher levels he will only have first-pass offense. He projects as a steady two-way defender who can log regular NHL minutes.
Photo:
Leila Devlin / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
D
SLOVAKIA
Vanecek is a mobile defenseman with good size who has been a solid two-way player as a junior. He can make a reliable first pass, and has a great one-timer from the point. He’s not a projected power-play type as a pro, but he has enough puck play to be steady in that area. Ideally he adds some grit to his play, but with his range, size and sense he can make enough stops as a pro to be a reliable NHL defender.
Skill Grades
Tier 4
D
WHL
A U.S.-born player of Lithuanian descent who has played for their senior national team and at the pro level in Switzerland, Ignatavicius is a legit NHL prospect. He’s a tall, fast winger with very good hands who projects to play and create chances at an NHL pace. His vision is fine, and he’s not overly physical. His compete level is a minor issue on his projection, but the toolkit is so good that he could still be a middle-six winger.
Photo:
Robert Hradil / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
SWISS
Nordmark has a lot of NHL traits. He’s 6-foot-2, skates well, is a gifted puck handler and can both pass and shoot the puck like an NHLer. He’s a flashy forward who can break open a shift. His effort level is just OK, though. He’s not soft, but he’s certainly not a hard-to-play-against type and fades into the background for stretches. He projects as a middle-six winger.
Photo:
Kenta Jönsson / Sipa via AP Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
LW
SWEDEN-JR.
Novotny is a well-rounded winger. He’s a good skater with above-average stick skills. He’s not a high-end scorer, but he has good enough sense to make plays at higher levels. Novotny is competitive and can play in traffic, although he’s not overly physical. He projects as a middle-six winger.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 4
LW
OHL
Shilov is a highly creative center with the vision to run an NHL power-play unit. He’s a good skater who can drive play with his speed and skill. His effort level is a minor question. He’s not overly physical, but Shilov gets to the inside often enough that it shouldn’t be a major issue in the NHL.
Photo:
Courtesy USHL
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
QMJHL
Trejbal checks a lot of the boxes you want in an NHL goalie. He has size, quickness, technical skill and strong hockey sense. He’s efficient moving in the net and makes a lot of good reads, showing a smooth poise to his game. He can make difficult lateral saves, although that isn’t the strength of his game. He projects as a tandem goalie in the NHL.
Skill Grades
Tier 4
G
USHL
Dagenais has all the aesthetic tools. He’s a nearly 6-foot-4 center who moves well for his size and has legit playmaking skills. Coming up the ice, he’s very dangerous with how many ways he can beat defensemen. Despite his tremendous tools, Dagenais has some consistency issues, staying on the outside too much or being in and out with his effort, but he’s added some physical jam to his game of late that could lead to him projecting out as a third-liner.
Photo:
Dale Preston / Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
C
QMJHL
Mbuyi has been a dangerous scorer in his two years in the OHL. He has the speed and skill for the NHL. He’s a creative winger who can play with pace and makes difficult plays frequently. He isn’t big or physical and can be pushed to the outside, but he can win battles along the walls and create in traffic. Mbuyi also has a good shot from range. He’s not the most dynamic small winger you’ll ever see, but he checks enough boxes that he could project as a middle-six type.
Photo:
Michael Miller / ISI Photos via Getty Images
Skill Grades
Tier 4
LW
OHL
Hemming’s on-ice tools are highly intriguing. He’s a big winger with the speed and skill for the higher levels. He can make difficult plays with pace and has a good shot from range. Hemming has yet to play this season due to an ongoing contract dispute with his team in Finland as he attempts to start his career in North America.
Skill Grades
Tier 4
LW
FINLAND
Preston is a very talented winger. His skating is very good, showing the quick-twitch first step and speed of top NHL forwards. He has excellent hands and can score from range. His playmaking is good, but not great. He’s also a 5-foot-11 winger who plays on the outside too much. On his best shifts, he looks like a top-six winger in the NHL, but those best shifts are inconsistent.
Photo:
Steven Ellis / Daily Faceoff
Skill Grades
Tier 4
RW
WHL
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