2026 NHL Draft – Top 10 Left Wingers – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Many consider centers and defensemen to be the two main building blocks of a great hockey team. But in the 2026 NHL Draft, the left wingers are getting a lot of love. Let’s dive into the top 10 in the class.

This list is based on NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings of these players, with consensus used to determine whether a North American or international skater should be ahead of the other.

10. Chase Harrington, Spokane Chiefs, WHL

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 26^th (among North American skaters)

Chase Harrington is ranked as a late second-rounder by most outlets, but there might be a few teams enamored by his game. His physicality, shot, two-way game, and play-driving are all calling cards for him. There’s a good balance of skill and pro-ready habits on display here.

Harrington recorded 28 goals and 29 assists in 61 games for the Spokane Chiefs this season. That production might not stand out too much, but he led the team in goals and points.

9. Niklas Aaram-Olsen, Örebro HK, U20 Nationell

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 15^th (among international skaters)

Niklas Aaram-Olsen could have borderline first-round hype at the 2026 NHL Draft. The Norwegian winger recorded 20 goals and as many assists in 29 games in Sweden’s top junior league and added another four tallies in five contests at the U18 World Championship.

Evidenced by his goalscoring totals, Aaram-Olsen’s shot is a major strength. In addition, he’s a solid skater who engages on the forecheck. He could be a well-rounded NHL player.

8. Marcus Nordmark, Djurgårdens IF, U20 Nationell

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 8^th (among international skaters)

Marcus Nordmark is an interesting prospect. His defensive engagement is often critiqued, but he has several traits that could translate well to the pro game—the Swedish winger is an upside swing.

At 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, Nordmark has good size and uses it well. He likes to get physical in the offensive zone, driving into defenders off the rush and taking the puck from the boards to the middle of the ice, powering his way through the opposition in the process. In addition, he has excellent vision, speed, and a good shot. He recorded 14 goals and 24 assists in 25 games in Sweden’s top junior league.

7. Adam Novotný, Peterborough Petes, OHL

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 14^th (among North American skaters)

Adam Novotný has the IQ, motor, size, skill, speed, and two-way engagement to be a terrific NHL player someday. With his many strengths and few weaknesses, he’s one of the more projectable players in the 2026 class.

For the Peterborough Petes this season, Novotný recorded 34 goals and 31 assists in 58 games. He ended the campaign on somewhat of a cold streak, but that shouldn’t damage his stock. He could be a top-15 selection.

6. Wyatt Cullen, USNTDP, USHL

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 13^th (among North American skaters)

Wyatt Cullen keeps on rising. He went from getting a “C” grade on NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list—indicating a mid-round draft choice—all the way up to 13^th among North American skaters on the final rankings. Better yet, a dazzling U18 World Championship has only opened more eyes.

Cullen defines dynamism. He has high-end skating ability, creativity, deceptiveness, vision, hands, play-driving and puck-carrying ability, and an impressive shot. With 34 points in 34 games, he led the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in points per game.

5. J.P. Hurlbert, Kamloops Blazers, WHL

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 12^th (among North American skaters)

J.P. Hurlbert slowed down a bit after a dominant start to the 2025-26 season, but he still ranked fourth on the Western Hockey League (WHL) points leaderboard with 42 goals and 55 assists in 68 games.

With play-driving ability, strong puck control, and IQ, Hurlbert has the traits to be a quality middle-six forward in the NHL. He played at both center and the wing for the Kamloops Blazers, so he’s not definitively a left winger—that’s more of a projection.

4. Oscar Hemming, Boston College, NCAA

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 11^th (among North American skaters)

Oscar Hemming is a unique prospect. The first thing you’ll probably notice about him is his size, at 6-foot-4 and 193 pounds. He uses it effectively while simultaneously having first-round skill.

It was a whirlwind of a season for Hemming, who played his first non-international game on Dec. 28. Once he suited up for Boston College, though, he put his net-front presence, physicality, skating ability, and shot on display. He recorded one goal and seven assists in 19 games—perhaps an unassuming stat line, but the talent is 100% there.

3. Ethan Belchetz, Windsor Spitfires, OHL

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 9^th (among North American skaters)

Ethan Belchetz is essentially the perfect power forward. He combines a 6-foot-5, 227-pound frame—one that he uses to his advantage on the forecheck—with legitimate skill. Possessing a great shot and play-driving ability, he is a handful for the opposition.

Belchetz recorded 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 games for the Windsor Spitfires this season. He suffered an injury that required surgery in March, however, which cut his campaign short—a notable storyline for the 2026 NHL Draft.

2. Ivar Stenberg, Frölunda HC, SHL

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 1^st (among international skaters)

Ivar Stenberg had an unprecedented showing in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), which is arguably the second-best league in the hockey world. The 18-year-old recorded 11 goals and 22 assists in 43 games on the season, only behind Daniel and Henrik Sedin for the most points ever for an SHL player in his draft year.

Stenberg’s playmaking, skating, and two-way engagement make him one of the best prospects in the 2026 class. In fact, some still argue he’s the best this year has to offer—he was a high-end SHL play-driver as a teenager.

1. Gavin McKenna, Penn State University, NCAA

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 1^st (among North American skaters)

After some midseason debates, Gavin McKenna has reclaimed his spot as the top player in the 2026 NHL Draft for many. He had somewhat of a slow start at Penn State University, but finished with an elite stat line of 15 goals and 36 assists in 35 games.

What makes McKenna special is his combination of hockey sense and skill. For starters, he thinks the game at a very high level, which allows him to create chances in situations that even other star players wouldn’t have as much luck in.

Then, there’s the skill. McKenna exposes players 1-on-1, resulting in an extensive highlight reel. Plus, while he’s not all that fast, everything else about his skating is excellent. It’s rare to find a player with elite IQ, skill, and skating ability, but No. 72 is far from ordinary.

At this stage, it seems likely that McKenna and Stenberg will go first and second overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, in that order. Pinpointing the other top left-wingers in this class, however, is tough—the consensus is always changing. Be sure to monitor these players when draft day comes!