Instant Reaction To NHL Central Scouting's Final Draft Rankings: Who Comes After McKenna And Stenberg?

The final draft rankings from NHL Central Scouting give a glimpse into how the league views this year's prospects.

They're certainly not definitive, and there are vast differences on a team-by-team basis, but NHL Central Scouting has always been one of the most useful tools for teams, analysts and fans.

As always, NHLCS puts out four lists: North American skaters, North American goalies, international skaters and international goalies.

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Potential Value Players

WHL Vancouver right winger Mathis Preston sits 32nd on the North American skaters list, which plants him firmly in the second round. Some team will get a player once widely viewed as a top-10 talent in the class who brings speed, skill and dual-threat ability. If he lands in the second round, he could be a steal.

The USA Hockey National Team Development Program, meanwhile, seems to be fairly undervalued, particularly up front.

Wyatt Cullen is ranked 13th in North America, but after him, no one slots in as a surefire first-rounder.

Casey Mutryn, who ranks 24th, is one of the most intriguing power forwards in the class with a raw skill set. He could be molded into a legitimate top-six option.

Victor Plante, who ranks 42nd, has risen all season, so seeing him fall well outside of the top 30 seems to be a potential oversight.

Dayne Bueker and Mikey Berchild, who rank 76th and 77th, respectively, are impressive junior players who look to be very solid pieces in the NCAA. NHL teams clearly have concerns about their size because their skill and impact at the junior level are obvious.

Standout NCAA freshman Adam Valentini of the Michigan Wolverines has been vastly undervalued on NHL Central Scouting's lists all year. He ranks 86th this time. A strong end of season with the Wolverines could see him drafted well above expectations.

Valentini's intelligence and motor are the foundation of his game, but he's shown excellent playmaking and skill against college-level players despite being a 17-year-old.

The 2026 NHL draft takes place on June 26 and 27 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 9:21 AM.