For all the advances in scouting, analytics and video technology, the NHL Draft remains hockey's greatest guessing game. Every June, general managers gather convinced they have found the next franchise cornerstone. Some are right. Many are not.
History tells us that Hall of Famers will emerge from unexpected places. Future All-Stars will be selected long after television cameras stop paying attention. A handful of first-round picks will never become impact NHL players. That's what makes the draft fascinating.
This year's class features a clear-cut No. 1 prospect, several potential franchise defensemen and impressive depth through the first two rounds. It also includes a Minnesota connection that should draw considerable attention from hockey fans throughout the region.
Hermantown's Victor Plante may not hear his name called in the first round, but he possesses the hockey intelligence, vision and offensive instincts that often allow skilled players to outperform their draft position. That is why he lands comfortably inside my Top 50.
Here is my final Howie Sports Top 50 for the 2026 NHL Draft.
1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State – The easiest choice on the board. Elite offensive instincts, elite vision and elite production. A franchise-changing talent.
2. Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frölunda – One of the most dynamic offensive players in Europe. Creates scoring chances every shift.
3. Chase Reid, D, Soo Greyhounds – The complete package. Skates, defends, moves the puck and projects as a future No. 1 defenseman.
4. Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota – Big, mobile and dangerous offensively. NHL teams covet this combination.
5. Carson Carels, D, Prince George – Elite puck-moving defenseman with top-pairing upside.
6. Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert – Smart, poised and productive. One of the safest prospects in the draft.
7. Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University – A two-way center coaches love. Strong hockey IQ and leadership qualities.
8. Cameron Schmidt, RW – Undersized but explosive. Pure offensive creativity.
9. Ryan Roobroeck, LW – Power, scoring touch and NHL-ready physicality.
10. Malcolm Spence, LW – Hard to play against and capable of producing offense.
11. Benjamin Kindel, C – Excellent playmaker who consistently drives offense.
12. Cole McKinney, C – Dependable center with a complete 200-foot game.
13. Filip Ekberg, RW – Dangerous scorer with a quick release.
14. Adam Benak, C – Among the smartest offensive players available.
15. Liam Ruck, C – Big-bodied center whose stock continues to rise.
16. Dayne Beuker, C – Strong skater with legitimate offensive upside.
17. Charlie Trethewey, D – Excellent puck movement and mobility.
18. Samuel Jung, LW – Creative winger who can generate offense on his own.
19. Logan Stuart, RW – Consistent production against quality competition.
20. Alessandro Di Iorio, RW – Natural goal scorer with a finisher's mentality.
21. Jack Ivankovic, G – The best goaltender in the class.
22. Ryan Lin, D – Elite offensive instincts from the blue line.
23. Xavier Villeneuve, D – Modern defenseman who thrives in transition.
24. Ethan Wyttenbach, C – Strong competitor who elevates teammates.
25. Caleb Malhotra, C – Excellent skater with NHL bloodlines.
26. Luke Schairer, D – Steady all-around defender with upside.
27. Patriks Skrastins, D – Reliable, efficient and professional in his approach.
28. Ethan Sturgis, C – Strong two-way center.
29. Jacob Kvasnicka, RW – Consistent offensive performer.
30. Nick Bogas, LW – Competitive winger with scoring ability.
31. Lucas Beckman, G – Athletic goaltender with long-term potential.
32. Steven Ellis, RW – Creative offensive player with high-end vision.
33. Pierce Mbuyi, LW – Relentless worker with intriguing upside.
34. Maddox Dagenais, RW – Size and speed make him difficult to ignore.
35. Adam Nemec, C – Smart player whose game continues to mature.
36. Caleb Pittsley, C – Strong habits and a dependable game.
37. Jaxon Jacobson, C – Offensive production continues to impress.
38. Noah Laberge, LW – Creative winger with offensive flair.
39. Viktor Klingsell, RW – Excellent puck skills and hockey sense.
40. Carter Klippenstein, C – Big center with NHL tools.
41. Brayden Little, RW – Fast, aggressive and productive.
42. Luke Vlooswyk, D – Physical defender with NHL size.
43. Tyson Buczkowski, D – Reliable defensive prospect.
44. Owen Conrad, D – Strong skater with good defensive awareness.
45. Jaxon Cover, RW – One of the biggest risers in the class.
46. Alberts Smits, D – Big, mobile defenseman with impressive upside.
47. Victor Plante, LW, U.S. National Team Development Program – Perhaps the most underrated player on the board. The Hermantown native sees plays develop before others recognize them. Elite hockey sense cannot be taught, and NHL teams searching for value in the second round should pay close attention. His commitment to Minnesota Duluth adds to the intrigue.
48. Liam Beamish, C – Developing center with offensive upside.
49. William Moore, RW – Strong all-around game and excellent work ethic.
50. Jack Murtagh, LW – A dependable prospect who rounds out a deep Top 50.
The first five names on this list will generate most of the headlines. That's how the draft works. The real story, however, often emerges years later. Somewhere between picks 25 and 50 sits a future NHL star. Every draft has one.
When I look at this class, Plante is among the players I would bet on to exceed expectations. His hockey sense, vision and offensive creativity give him a chance to become one of the steals of the 2026 NHL Draft. Five years from now, don't be surprised if NHL executives are asking themselves the same question. How did we let him slide that far?
