Ryan Kennedy's final 2026 NHL draft rankings highlight McKenna's edge

Gavin McKenna leads Ryan Kennedy’s final 2026 NHL Draft rankings after dominating the second half of his freshman season at Penn State.

McKenna’s unique traits set him apart

McKenna recorded standout production as one of the top players in college hockey during the latter portion of the season. His plan to add strength and test himself at Penn State produced immediate results that elevated him to the top spot. Scouts highlight traits that cannot be taught, giving the left winger a dynamic offensive ceiling unmatched in this class.

Kennedy notes that McKenna’s transition to NCAA hockey succeeded where others struggled, creating a clear separation from the rest of the field. The 120-player list underscores this class’s unusual profile with centers notably thin at the top.

Only four rounds of selections are covered in the rankings, providing a practical view of early-round talent. Kennedy’s approach focuses strictly on best player available rather than team needs or positional value.

Top defensemen offer interchangeable value

Chase Reid ranks third overall thanks to elite offensive upside among blueliners combined with strong defensive play. His size and skating project well after he heads to Michigan State.

Keaton Verhoeff sits fourth after posting strong offensive numbers as a teen freshman at North Dakota while improving his own-zone play. Kennedy had ranked Verhoeff first in his mid-season list, showing how evaluations shifted late.

Carson Carels lands fifth as a near-flawless two-way defender who will join Verhoeff at North Dakota. The pair previously played together for Canada at the world juniors, hinting at future chemistry.

Kennedy states the top five defensemen are practically interchangeable, with different NHL teams holding distinct preferences that could scramble their draft order.

Thin center depth creates positional risk

Caleb Malhotra ranks sixth after piling up points with Brantford in the OHL and stepping up when needed on a strong team. His competitive edge will be tested further at Boston University.

Tynan Lawrence falls to ninth following an injury-disrupted year that included dominance in the USHL before a slower adjustment to Boston University. Scouts still value his two-way center profile despite the timing concerns.

Kennedy flags the center position as unusually weak this year, raising questions about when the first pivots will be selected in Buffalo. The list includes only a handful of high-end options at the position through the top 20.

Oscar Hemming checks in at tenth after a late arrival to Boston College caused by a contract dispute in Finland. His power-forward potential remains a draw even if fatigue showed late in the season.

With the draft in Buffalo only days away, the top five defensemen could be selected in any order among the first 10 picks.