In the latest nhl mock draft picture, Gavin McKenna stayed No. 1 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for the 2026 NHL Draft. The Penn State left wing finished the season with 51 points and now stands at the center of the draft conversation as the June event approaches. The rankings were released on Thursday, with the draft set for June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo and the draft lottery scheduled for May 5.
McKenna Holds the Top Spot
McKenna’s position at No. 1 was a unanimous choice, giving the clearest headline in the nhl mock draft field. Central Scouting vice president and director Dan Marr said there was no serious argument for placing anyone else ahead of him, noting that McKenna has produced at a high level for more than three years and has done it while often being one of the youngest players on his teams.
McKenna tied for fifth in the NCAA with 51 points, including 15 goals and 36 assists, and finished second with 1. 46 points per game in 35 games. He is expected to become the first men’s ice hockey player from Penn State selected in the first round of the NHL Draft. Central Scouting senior Western scout John Williams said McKenna challenged himself by playing in college and added that his skill and hockey sense have helped him produce despite not yet being fully developed physically.
OHL Presence Shapes the Early Order
The OHL’s footprint is one of the clearest storylines in this nhl mock draft cycle. NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings include 76 OHL players, with 65 skaters and 11 goaltenders from all 20 member clubs. That total is part of 197 players from the Canadian Hockey League’s three leagues in the final rankings, showing how heavily the junior circuit feeds this draft class.
Among North American skaters, Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds moved up to No. 2 after ranking 12th among OHL defensemen with 48 points in 45 regular-season games. Carson Carels remained at No. 3, Keaton Verhoeff dropped to No. 4, and Daxon Rudolph moved up to No. 5. Reid also had four points for the United States at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, while Carels, Verhoeff and Rudolph remain part of a reshaped top group in the final list.
Immediate Reactions From Central Scouting
Marr said the top of the board carried strong agreement, especially around McKenna and the cluster of defensemen behind him. He described Reid as a player who consistently excelled in every setting, while also stressing that his defensive game deserves more credit.
On Caleb Malhotra, Marr said the Brantford Bulldogs forward quickly proved he belonged in the A-rated tier after arriving from the BCHL. Malhotra posted 84 points, including a plus-33 rating and 30 power-play points, and Marr called him a complete player with composure and compete. Marr was equally direct about Nikita Klepov, praising his scoring instincts and saying he is the type of player who can make an NHL impact in a major way when he is ready.
What Comes Next
The nhl mock draft conversation now shifts from ranking sheets to the lottery and then to Buffalo, where the top selection order will begin to take shape on May 5 before the draft on June 26-27. With McKenna fixed at No. 1 and OHL players spread through the top tier, the next stage will determine how quickly the board turns from consensus to real draft-day pressure. For now, the nhl mock draft picture is clear at the top and crowded everywhere else.
