2026 NHL Draft rankings: Defenseman continue to shine

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2026 NHL Draft rankings: Defenseman continue to shine originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In the modern version of the NHL, speed and skill shine. The ability to be crafty with the puck and make plays at high speeds is as valuable as ever.

That's why this draft feels so different, because the top two picks are wingers, Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, who don't rely solely on speed.

But when you move past those two outliers, the next batch of players fit the mold of the current NHL to a tee. Big, puck-moving defensemen like Keaton Verhoeff, Chase Reid, Daxon Rudolph, Carson Carels, and Alberts Smits all have plenty of NHL-translatable skills.

No. 1 defensemen are hot commodities, and you won't need to look much further to find them in this draft, as they are littered all over our top 10 rankings.

1. Gavin McKenna​

• Position: LW
• Current team: Penn State (NCAA)
• Measurables: 5'11", 170 pounds

McKenna and, by extension, Penn State came up short in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Albany Regional. Minnesota-Duluth defeated the Nittany Lions 3-1.

Not only was McKenna held off the scoresheet, but he was a minus-3 with just two shots on goal. I do believe that McKenna should and will go number one, but whichever team selects him may want to keep him in school for a year to round out portions of his game.

The next step for McKenna is reportedly an appearance with Team Canada at the World Championship.

MORE: Next Steps Underway For Top NCAA Prospects McKenna, Martone, Castagna

2. Ivar Stenberg​

• Position: LW/RW
• Current team: Frolunda (Sweden)
• Measurables: 5'11", 183 pounds

Stenberg has helped keep Frolunda in games despite not scoring. His four assists in the past three games allowed Frolunda to force overtime in three of their four quarterfinal games against Lulea Hockeyforening.

Unfortunately, Frolunda did not win any of their matches that went beyond 60 minutes. They are down 3-2 in the series after a 2-1 victory today. If Frolunda hopes to rally, Stenberg needs to snap his 12-game goal drought in a hurry.

3. Chase Reid​

• Position: D
• Current team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
• Measurables: 6'2", 188 pounds

Finally, Reid’s rhythm post-injury has returned. The blueliner put up a goal in his first OHL playoff game, while also being on the ice for the game one overtime winner against London. Reid also embraced a more physical side to his game, earning six penalty minutes in game two. He will be just fine this postseason.

4. Keaton Verhoeff​

• Position: D
• Current team: North Dakota (NCAA)
• Measurables: 6'4", 208 pounds

The Fighting Hawks are headed to the 2026 Frozen Four in Las Vegas. Verhoeff looked more comfortable in a shutdown role throughout North Dakota’s two shutouts against Merrimack and Quinnipiac.

In that pair of contests, Verhoeff and the Fighting Hawks allowed no goals on 53 total shots. If Verhoeff adapts to the bright lights of Sin City in the same way as he has played the rest of the tournament, North Dakota could come home with more hardware.

MORE: NHL draft lottery odds: Maple Leafs move in wrong direction

5. Viggo Bjorck​

• Position: C/W
• Current team: Djurgarden (Sweden)
• Measurables: 5'9", 177 pounds

Bjorck’s 2025-26 campaign is at its close following Djurgarden’s elimination at the hands of Malmo RedHawks on March 20. It remains to be seen whether he will stay in Sweden next season, but that will no doubt be worked out by the team that selects him.

6. Tynan Lawrence​

• Position: C
• Current team: Boston Univ. (NCAA)
• Measurables: 6'0", 185 pounds

Boston University was not picked by the committee for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Lawrence’s season is over, but before taking the time to heal up for 2026-27, Lawrence will likely play a large role for Team Canada at the U-18s.

7. Daxon Rudolph​

• Position: D
• Current team: Prince Albert (WHL)
• Measurables: 6'2", 202 pounds

Rudolph has had a sizzling start to the 2026 WHL Playoffs, racking up five points (two goals and three assists) in two victories against Red Deer. Specifically in Saturday’s game, Rudolph factored in on three consecutive goals during the 6-0 shutout.

There doesn't appear to be an end in sight for the blueliner, and he will have a chance to show that tonight in game three against a Rebels roster that has been outscored 10-1 in a pair of playoff games.

MORE: 2026 NHL Draft rankings: Gavin McKenna begins to pull away from the pack

8. Carson Carels​

• Position: D
• Current team: Prince George (WHL)
• Measurables: 6'1", 175 pounds

Carels sustained an injury on an awkward collision in Game 1 against Spokane last Friday and did not play in either Game 2 or 3. Steve Ewen of The Providence said the Prince George Cougars had Carels listed as “day-to-day.” Let’s hope the injury isn’t too serious.

9. Caleb Malhotra​

• Position: C
• Current team: Brantford (OHL)
• Measurables: 6'1", 182 pounds

Like Rudolph, Malhotra has looked very good to start the postseason. He has four points (three goals and one assist) between Games 1 and 2 against Sudbury. Sudbury had the least amount of regular season points (56) for any OHL Playoff team this year, so the Bulldogs and Malhotra should make short work of them.

That said, it is important that Malhotra sticks to his fundamentals in preparation for a potential second-round meeting with Peterborough.

MORE: Prospect Power Rankings: NCAA Hobey Baker List Shrinks As Everett Dominates WHL

10. Alberts Smits​

• Position: D
• Current team: EHC Red Bull Munchen (Germany)
• Measurables: 6'3", 205 pounds

Smits continues to gain valuable experience in Germany. He has only one assist in five games with Red Bull as they continue their playoff pursuit, but that is to be expected given the depth of the team he is on.

As Munchen continues to win, Smits should soak up the knowledge from veterans around him, including 2011 12th overall pick Ryan Murphy. I imagine he will play more in the next round if Red Bull makes it that far.

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