The NHL has released a video series providing exclusive access to five top prospects preparing for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft [1].
This series offers a rare glimpse into the personal lives and training regimens of elite athletes before they enter the professional ranks. By humanizing the prospects, the league builds anticipation for the draft and introduces the next generation of stars to a global audience.
Produced as part of the “Welcome to the NHL” series presented by BODYARMOR Sports Drink, the content focuses on the preparation of five featured prospects: Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, Chase Reid, and Caleb Malhotra [1]. The footage also includes combine participant Jaxon Cover [1].
The series highlights the intense competition for the top spot in the class. According to TSN, Gavin McKenna edged Ivar Stenberg by a slight margin as the top prospect ahead of the NHL Draft [2]. This ranking places McKenna at the No. 1 spot for the 2026 class [2].
Draft activities are centered at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York [1, 3]. The location serves as the hub for teams to finalize their scouting reports and for players to navigate the pressures of the event.
Beyond the rankings, the series emphasizes the personal stories of the athletes. It follows the prospects as they balance the expectations of professional scouts with their family lives in their respective hometowns [1].
Industry analysts have spent months evaluating this group. The Hockey Writers recently released its 2026 Consensus Ranking, which combined the final evaluations of four separate prospect writers [4]. These evaluations help teams determine the value of their draft positions in the 2026 order [3].
“Gavin McKenna edged Ivar Stenberg by a slight margin as the top prospect ahead of the NHL Draft.”
The focus on a small group of high-profile prospects suggests the 2026 draft is being marketed around a few 'franchise' players rather than a deep pool of talent. By elevating McKenna and Stenberg as the primary protagonists, the league is creating a narrative of a two-horse race for the first overall pick, which increases viewership and commercial interest in the event at KeyBank Center.
