Breaking down NHL Central Scouting’s 2026 midseason draft rankings
Minutes after the Buffalo Sabres officially confirmed they were hosting the NHL Draft this June, the NHL Central Scouting Service shared its updated midterm rankings.
Central Scouting starts the season by grading players in tiers. Projected first-rounders are graded with an “A”, “B” rated players are projected for the second and third round, and so on. So these rankings are the first true rankings, split into four sections: North American skaters and goaltenders, as well as International skaters and goaltenders.
Here are some quick thoughts on players moving up, falling down and who could be the first player selected in Buffalo (check out Daily Faceoff’s latest draft rankings while you’re at it):
McKenna or Stenberg?
There’s no doubting McKenna has the most skill in this draft class. His creativity allowed him to challenge for the World Junior scoring lead earlier this month, and he’s unbelievable at moving the puck on the power play. But his 5-on-5 and defensive-zone play leave a lot to be desired, and scouts have their doubts about his ability to be a true game-changer at the next level.
And then there’s Stenberg. He’s already playing exceptionally well against men, averaging nearly a point per game with Frolunda. Stenberg will beat you more with pure hockey sense, but he’s got incredible hands to boot. From talking to scouts at the World Juniors, it feels like more are leaning toward Stenberg becoming the top prospect – but not everyone is convinced, with some thinking he’s still the No. 3 behind McKenna and defenseman Keaton Verhoeff.
For what it’s worth, this feels like the closest the fight for No. 1 has been all season long.
Who’s moving up?
Ben MacBeath, LHD (NAS20): MacBeath hasn’t been too high on many draft boards, but the Calgary Hitmen defender has absolutely turned heads recently. He’s tracking for over 50 points while being quite physically competent, too. He’s 6-foot-2, moves the puck well and has excellent mobility. You’re going to hear a lot more about him moving forward.
Charlie Morrison, LHD (NAS29): Morrison has received a ton of love over the past two months. At 6-foot-3 and just under 200 pounds, he’s hard to miss out there. He’s a punishing defender who won’t beat you with the puck, but he’ll absolutely steal it away from you. Morrison plays a rock-steady defensive game, and while he doesn’t have much offensive upside, that’s not why you’d draft him.
Tobias Trejbal, G (NAG3): There’s no clear-cut top goaltender this year (although Brady Knowling has the upper hand). Trejbal has been excellent in his first season in North America, boasting a .922 save percentage with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. Being 6-foot-4 and quick doesn’t hurt, either. The stats don’t lie, either – the busier Trejbal is, the better he plays.
Alexander Command, C (INTS12): Scouts really like Command. He had a strong showing at the World Junior A Challenge, which probably didn’t hurt. He’s been very productive with the Swedish U-18 team (although he missed the Hlinka Gretzky Cup) and he even recently got into some SHL action with Orebro. Teams like his two-way game and his ability to move the pucks into dangerous scoring areas – something many Swedish centers have thrived with in recent draft classes.
Dmitri Borichev, G (INTG1): There are always a few Russian goaltenders who look unstoppable and fly up draft boards. This year, it’s Borichev. He has shutouts in half of his victories so far and has an outstanding .940 save percentage against junior competition. The MHL can be frustrating to watch (he had an eight-save victory in late December), so analyzing potential can be difficult. But Borichev has an outstanding glove hand, moves well and always seems to be in control.
Who felt too low?
Tynan Lawrence, C (NAS7): I was a bit surprised to see Lawrence behind Caleb Malhotra (NAS5), given that most scouts I’ve talked to consider Lawrence as the top center in this draft. Injuries limited his playing time in the first half, but he has already impressed against college competition with Boston University. He’s strong, skates well, and can absolutely dominate a shift. I really like his game – he’ll be fine.
Mathis Preston, RW (NAS24): Some scouts think Preston has top 10 potential. I’ve definitely soured on him a bit, but I have a hard time believing he’s the 24th-best prospect in this draft – let alone the 24th top skater from North America. He wasn’t able to take the Spokane Chiefs on his back (the team has been downright brutal), but he’ll have an opportunity to be a leader with the Vancouver Giants. I liked his game at the recent CHL USA Prospects Challenge and think he has the skill to be a difference-maker. Consistency will go a long way the rest of the season, though.
Lars Steiner, RW (NAS61): I don’t think Steiner is a first-round talent anymore, but a 61st-place North American ranking suggests he’ll be closer to a fourth-rounder (if you combine all four lists). I don’t get that one. Has he been as good as he needed to be with the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies this year? Absolutely not. But between the Q and his play with Switzerland at the World Juniors, there haven’t been many instances where he hasn’t been the best player on the ice in a given game, especially on the power play. He loves to shoot, but I think he could work on his accuracy a bit.
Adam Nemec, LW (INTS29): Nemec was included on the international list but recently moved over to join the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves. He’s been fantastic early on, with points in each of his three games (all losses). I thought he had a solid World Junior Championship with Slovakia, but I know scouts still aren’t sure what type of player he’ll be at the next level. I don’t see him being a goal-scorer, and I’m not sure he’s physically strong enough to be a truly effective bottom-six player. But his hockey sense and two-way play allow him to win many battles already, so I still like him.
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