Full Breakdown
2026 NHL Draft Mock After Scouting Combine: Prospects, Team Needs, and Analyst Outlook
6/9/2026, 10:56:02 PM
Core Event – Combine Data Shapes First-Round Mock Draft
The NHL scouting combine in early 2026 delivered athletic testing and on-ice performance metrics for the draft-eligible class. Notable results include McKenna’s top-25 finishes in eight events and a first-place VO2 max, Belchetz measuring 6-5, 230 lb, and Rudolph listed at 6-2, 206 lb. Teams and analysts used these data points, together with season statistics, to construct mock first-round selections for the upcoming draft weekend.
Key Prospects and Projected Team Fits
- Daxon Rudolph (D, Prince Albert, WHL) – 78 points (28 G, 50 A) in 68 games and 27 points in 19 playoff games. Winnipeg Jets view him as a right-shot defenseman who could join a top-four pairing; Florida Panthers see him as a long-term replacement for an aging veteran corps.
- Keaton Verhoeff (D, NCAA) – Fourth-most points ever by a 17-year-old NCAA defenseman; size and skating noted as NHL-ready. Winnipeg, lacking depth beyond Elias Salomonsson and Sascha Boumedienne, targets him for heavy minutes.
- Viggo Bjorck (C, Sweden) – Six points (1 G, 5 A) at the World Championship; praised for competitiveness. Florida Panthers consider him a fit for their gritty style.
- Wyatt Cullen (LW, USA U-18/NTDP-USHL) – 45 points in 40 games after a growth spurt to 6-1, 176 lb; strong vision and hockey IQ highlighted at the 2026 IIHF U-18 tournament (9 points in 5 games). The Jets and other teams note his top-six scoring upside.
- Tynan Lawrence (C, Boston University) – 6-0, 185 lb; projected as an offensive driver for the Nashville Predators. His recent move to BU saw a dip to 7 points in 18 games, raising questions about immediate impact.
- Oliver Suvanto (C, Tappara, FIN) – 11 points in 48 Liiga games; two-way play praised after learning from Aleksander Barkov.
- Ethan Belchetz (LW, Windsor, OHL) – 59 points (34 G, 25 A) in 57 games, 10 power-play goals; size (6-5, 228 lb) and physicality cited by the New Jersey Devils.
- Ivar Stenberg (D, SHL, Sweden) – Second-all-time per-game SHL production among draft-eligible players, behind Daniel Sedin; Vancouver Canucks selected him over Caleb Malhotra.
- Carels (D, WHL, Manitoba) – 73 points in 58 games, highest WHL defenseman scoring rate since Scott Niedermayer (1990-91); Chicago Blackhawks liken him to Charlie McAvoy.
Analyst Rankings and Team Strategies
Mike Kimelman highlighted Rudolph’s size and vision, Bjorck’s elite competitiveness, and Cullen’s high hockey IQ, recommending them for teams needing top-four defense or gritty centers. Ryan Morreale stressed Winnipeg’s shortage of high-end defense prospects, Florida’s reliance on veteran blueliners, and the Jets’ need for a power-forward like Belchetz. TheScore’s Kyle Cushman and Josh Wegman projected a full first-round order, noting McKenna’s strong combine showing, Stenberg’s SHL pedigree, and the Sharks’ desire for a cornerstone defenseman. Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka’s pre-combine visit to McKenna’s family underscored Toronto’s interest, while his Zoom meeting with captain Auston Matthews signaled broader strategic discussions.
Criticism & Opposition
Several analysts flagged concerns: Bjorck’s 5-9 stature raises durability questions despite his production; Florida’s veteran-heavy defense (Ekblad, Jones, Mikkola, Kulikov) is deemed unsustainable long-term; Winnipeg’s limited pool beyond Salomonsson and Boumedienne fuels skepticism about immediate impact of Verhoeff. Lawrence’s mid-season transfer to Boston University failed to boost his draft stock, suggesting doubts about his readiness for a top-overall role.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Ranking disagreements appear around the top prospect. While Cushman and Wegman cite McKenna’s combine performance as a leading indicator, other observers argue Ivar Stenberg is the board’s best player. Lawrence was once a dark-horse for first overall but later fell after a modest BU start, illustrating divergent assessments. No official team statements confirm exact draft positions, leaving final selections uncertain.
What’s Next – Draft Weekend Outlook
The mock projections will be tested as teams finalize their first-round picks this weekend. Teams are expected to weigh combine metrics, season production, and positional needs, with particular focus on defense depth for Winnipeg, power-forward options for New Jersey, and long-term defensive stability for Florida and San Jose. The outcomes will set the talent pipeline for the next five NHL seasons.
