Craig’s List: McKenna stays No. 1; Reid emerges as top defenceman

The World Juniors have come and gone and several 2026 draft-eligible prospects made lasting impressions on the biggest stage junior hockey has to offer.

From forwards Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Björck helping Sweden win its first gold medal since 2012, to defencemen Chase Reid (United States) and Alberts Smits (Latvia) becoming blueline pillars for their countries, the 2026 class had its fingerprints all over the tournament.

For TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button, the World Juniors also affirmed that Penn State forward Gavin McKenna remains the No. 1 prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Questions have swirled around McKenna’s game all season long after he made the jump from the Western Hockey League to NCAA hockey. At Penn State this season, he has four goals and 19 points in 18 games. Last year, with the Medicine Hat Tigers, he had 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games.

McKenna had four goals and 14 points in seven games at the World Juniors as Canada went home with bronze.

Button notes that McKenna, who stands at 6-foot and 170 pounds, willingly sought out a bigger challenge for his draft year, playing against older, stronger competition with eyes on furthering his physical development.

“He’s an elite talent,” said Button. “I watch him, and I look for all these things that would give me pause to think he’s anything less than elite, and I don’t see anything.

“Gavin, to me, has continued to demonstrate and show me that there is nothing for me to change my projection or view on him.”

Frolunda’s Stenberg, a winger, remains at No. 2 on Button’s January draft ranking, while Reid makes the jump from No. 5 to No. 3 to be the top-ranked defenceman after a strong World Junior performance.

Reid had two goals and four points in five games while averaging 20:06 of ice time before the Americans were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

Reid also has 15 goals and 38 points in 34 games this season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds.

“In terms of growth and room to improve, he might have the most,” said Button of Reid. “He’s got special abilities. He just keeps taking on more elements in the game that make him more impactful in the game and in so many different areas.”

At No. 4 is Smits, who cracks the top five for the first time this year after being ranked No. 12 in November.

Smits led Latvia in average ice time at the World Juniors with 23:40 and had a goal and four assists in five games as they reached the quarter-finals for the third straight year.

The 18-year-old has six goals and 12 points in 30 games skating in the SM-Liiga this season with Jukurit, and was recently named to Latvia’s Olympic roster.

“When you watch him play, [there are] two things: unwavering confidence and trust [in] his instincts,” said Button of Smits. “It’s just going to keep growing. He’s been a really good player in the SM-Liiga. He’s a young player and he [is] 100 per cent worthy of being on the Latvian Olympic team.”

Reid and Smits edge out Canadian defencemen Carson Carels (No. 5) and Keaton Verhoeff (No. 6), who also skated at the World Juniors.

Another player cracking the top 10 is Björck, who jumps from No. 22 in November to No. 7.

The 17-year-old was a key cog in Sweden’s gold-medal win, scoring three goals with nine points in seven games and was named a top-three player on the team.

At the club level, he has four goals and eight points in 25 games with Djurgardens in the Swedish Hockey League this season.

“When I watch him play, it conjures up images of Brayden Point,” said Button of Björck. “He beats you up with his brain. And then he’s got really good hands. He’s a really good elusive skater. IQ off the charts.”

Narrowly missing the top 10 is Brantford Bulldogs centre Caleb Malhotra, who clocks in at No. 11.

Malhotra, son of former long-time NHLer Manny, leads the Bulldogs with 53 points this season. On one of the CHL’s best teams with 11 NHL draft picks, Malhotra has stood out.

“I think Caleb, for me, second-line centre projection,” said Button. “He’ll give you offence, two-way play, he’ll give you that gritty, hard, detailed play when it’s necessary.”

The biggest riser on Button’s list is Swedish centre Alexander Command, who leaps from No. 36 to No. 16.

Skating with Orebro HK’s U20 squad this season, Command has 13 goals and 29 points in 20 games. He also helped Sweden capture bronze at the World Junior A Challenge with three goals and five points in five games as he was named to the tournament All-Star team.

“He’s a really good player,” said Button of Command. “Competitive, smart. I’m sure he will be a first-round draft pick.”

Note: The Ottawa Senators had to forfeit a first-round pick in either the 2024, 2025 or 2026 NHL Draft for the invalidated trade of Evgeni Dadonov made in 2022. The team kept its 2024 and 2025 first-round picks and therefore must give up their 2026 first-rounder, making this list a Top 31 for Round 1 and Top 63 instead of the usual Top 64. If the Senators fail to make the playoffs, the NHL’s draft lottery odds may have to be adjusted as well.

Craig’s List - January 15