2026 Draft rankings are in and there are some surprising changes

TSN's Draft ranking guide is the industry standard for hockey fans and scouts alike each and every season.

Junior hockey analysts Craig Button and the legendary Bob McKenzie scour the depth of junior hockey to create TSN"s ranking each and every year and have a tremendous track record of predicting top picks at the annual draft each summer.

This year's crop of talent has been led by Canadian forward Gavin McKenna for over a calendar year now and that hasn't changed despite his lacklustre performance at the 2026 World Junior Championships (WJC). There was some sentiment from fans that McKenna had been passed by Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, thanks in large part to Stenberg's gold medal performance at the WJC.

As it stands right now, TSN has McKenna at #1 and Stenberg at #2.

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

“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.

Incidentally, American defenseman Chase Reid bumps up TSN's list from #5 to #3 given his stellar performance at the WJC.

“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.”

The 6'2", 190 lb Reid has 15 goals and 38 points in just 34 games with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds this season.

Interestingly enough, while Reid is the top blueliner available, there are plenty of defenseman expected to go in the top end of the Draft.

Here's a full top 10 courtesy of TSN: