"Going to give McKenna a run for the money for No. 1": NHL insider makes bold prediction for 2026 NHL draft

Gavin McKenna, the presumptive top pick in the 2026 NHL draft, could face stiff competition from a Team Canada teammate.

In a post on X on Friday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli made a bold prediction about Team Canada’s 2026 World Junior squad. He also predicted another potential top overall pick in next year’s draft.

Seravalli stated:

“Not only is Keaton Verhoeff going to make the World Junior team, but he’s also going to give Gavin McKenna a run for the money for No. 1 overall between now and June 2026.”

The comments underscore the talent Verhoeff brings to the table. The 6-foot-4 defenseman will play for the University of North Dakota in the NCAA this upcoming season. He is the consensus No. 2 pick after a strong season with the WHL’s Victoria Royals, where he scored 21 goals and tallied 45 points in 63 games.

While McKenna remains the consensus top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft, a strong season by Verhoeff could lead teams to reconsider him as the clear-cut No. 1. Verhoeff could follow in Matthew Schaefer’s footsteps as the second defenseman to be taken first overall in consecutive drafts.

In the meantime, Verhoeff, named captain of Canada’s World Junior team, will have plenty of opportunities to show why he is worthy of overtaking McKenna as the draft’s top prospect.

Early look at the 2026 NHL draft

An early look at the 2026 NHL draft projects Gavin McKenna at No. 1 with Keaton Verhoeff at No. 2.

A mock draft by Tankathon projects McKenna going first to the Chicago Blackhawks. If that happens, Chicago could field a loaded team with Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell and McKenna up front.

Tankathon projects the San Jose Sharks landing the second pick, sending Verhoeff to California. He would join a talented Sharks group featuring Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa.

The third pick is projected to go to the Seattle Kraken, with Ivar Stenburgh of Sweden’s U20 Nationell going to Seattle. The skilled winger would immediately upgrade the Kraken’s forward group.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are projected to pick fourth, selecting Ryan Roobroeck of the OHL. The 6-foot-4 center could be a strong fit as the Penguins seek an heir apparent to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Lastly, the Boston Bruins are projected to pick fifth, with Tankathon slotting Viggo Bjorck of the U20 Nationell to Boston. Like Stenburgh, Bjorck is a skilled forward who could become a centerpiece of the Bruins’ next generation.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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Edited by Nestor Quixtan