NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings Revealed, Sharks Secure Lottery Pick

Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg top North American and International skater lists, while San Jose holds 9th overall selection in 2026 Draft Lottery.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:55am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured, multi-angled movements and energy of a hockey player or NHL draft prospect, using a vibrant color palette of blues, reds, and greens to capture the dynamic nature of the sport.The NHL Draft Lottery offers a chance for teams to secure top talent, with the Central Scouting rankings highlighting the most promising prospects.San Jose Today

The NHL Central Scouting has released its final rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft, with Penn State's Gavin McKenna and Sweden's Ivar Stenberg topping the North American and International skater lists respectively. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks have secured the 9th overall pick in the upcoming Draft Lottery, giving them a 5% chance at the top selection.

Why it matters

The NHL Central Scouting rankings are a closely watched indicator of top draft prospects, helping teams identify potential high-impact players. For the Sharks, securing a top-10 pick in this year's draft lottery provides an opportunity to add a talented young piece to their roster as they look to return to playoff contention.

The details

McKenna, who recorded 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games for Penn State this season, is ranked ahead of a group of highly-touted defensemen including Chase Reid, Carson Carels, Keaton Verhoeff, and Daxon Rudolph. Brantford's Caleb Malholtra is the second-highest ranked North American forward. On the international side, Ivar Stenberg's standout season with the Swedish Hockey League and World Junior gold medal performance have him atop the list, followed by Latvian blueliner Alberts Smits.

  • The NHL Central Scouting final rankings were released on April 16, 2026.
  • The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery will take place on May 5, 2026.

The players

Gavin McKenna

A forward who totaled 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games for Penn State this season, McKenna is the top-ranked North American skater in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings.

Ivar Stenberg

The top-ranked international skater, Stenberg put up impressive stats in the Swedish Hockey League this season and won a gold medal with Sweden at the World Juniors.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks hold the 9th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, giving them a 5% chance at the top selection as they look to add young talent to their roster.

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What they’re saying

“Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg lead the North American and International NHL Central Scouting final rankings.”

— NHL Public Relations

What’s next

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery will take place on May 5, 2026, determining the order of the first round. The Sharks will be hoping to move up from their 9th overall position and secure a top pick in this year's draft.

The takeaway

The NHL Central Scouting final rankings provide a valuable preview of the top prospects ahead of the upcoming draft, with McKenna and Stenberg emerging as potential high-impact selections. For the Sharks, their 9th overall pick in the lottery gives them a chance to add a talented young player to their roster as they aim to return to the playoffs.