2026 NHL Draft: Five Defensemen Poised for Early Impact

Alberts Smits, the 6-foot-4 Latvian who has played in Finland since age 13, ranks as the top defenseman available in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Smits’ Path to No. 1 Status

Smits posted strong results at the World Junior Championship where Latvia pushed Canada to overtime. He also matched up against Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and Lucas Raymond at the Olympics and held his own. His massive frame, elite skating and high-level defending already translate to NHL projection as a potential No. 1 defenseman. Five blueliners overall could land inside the top 10 and up to 15 may hear their names called in round one. Nearly every Stanley Cup winner in the past decade relied on multiple versatile back-end horses.

Smits’ mobility and puck-handling create offensive upside while his willingness to push the pace separates him from stay-at-home types. Every time he receives a larger stage he has responded with impact play. The combination points to a player capable of logging top-pair minutes inside three NHL seasons.

Verhoeff and Gustafsson Split Top-Tier Roles

Keaton Verhoeff entered the year as the consensus No. 1 blueliner yet posted uneven NCAA results at North Dakota that included a weaker Frozen Four showing. He still delivered strong puck play for Canada at the world juniors. His passing and hockey sense remain major assets even if first-step quickness needs refinement. Verhoeff’s overall body of work still places him inside the top three on most lists.

Malte Gustafsson checks every box required of a stay-at-home defender with size, physicality and smart gap control. He improved against men in Sweden’s pro league compared with junior competition, a rare trajectory. Gustafsson kills plays efficiently and moves the puck quickly, making him a reliable two-way option even without dynamic offense. His value lies in consistent defensive-zone presence that every contending roster requires.

Reid, Carels and the Next Wave

Chase Reid posted the fastest rise among defensemen thanks to elite passing and power-play quarterback traits in the OHL. He recorded strong breakout numbers and showed confidence jumping into the attack. Reid’s defensive game still needs work on pivots and board battles, yet his size and skating give him a solid foundation. Carson Carels produced 73 points in 58 WHL games, tied for fourth among league defensemen, but scouts question how much of that offense survives against NHL structure.

Xavier Villeneuve would sit inside the top five if his 5-foot-11, 162-pound frame were larger. Ryan Lin combines creative transition play with injury setbacks that have limited consistency. The class depth extends to Juho Piiparinen’s steady reliability, Tommy Bleyl’s second-half breakout and William Hakansson’s physical tools. Teams drafting in the middle first round will find multiple options that address specific back-end needs.