2026 NHL Entry Draft – Top 10 Defensemen – The Hockey Writers –

After seeing Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders) go number one overall in the 2025 NHL Draft as a defenseman and make the immediate jump to the NHL this season, and doing it at an elite level for a player his age, the defenseman class of 2026 may not have anyone who does that. But there is plenty of high-end talent spread across the position this year, and it comes from all over the world.

10. Adam Goljer, HK Dukla Trencin (Slovakia)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 14th (Among EU skaters)

Playing in Slovakia’s top professional league, Adam Goljer has proven that he can play with the big boys this season. Not only does he have the skills to be a strong defenseman, but he also has the tools and potential to be a strong two-way defenseman if he continues to develop his all-around game. Defensively, he has the reach and the skating ability to shut down opponents, whether it is on the rush or when the play is set up in the zone. His skating is viewed as top-notch and carries over into his offensive play. He has no problem jumping into rushes and getting involved in the offensive zone, where he uses both his strong passing and shot to be a dual threat to make an impact.

Even as a raw talent, Goljer has the potential and moldability to become a strong two-way defenseman at the next level, and he has already shown at a young age that he can be relied upon to carry the workload against older, more mature competition. This season with HK Dukla Trencin, he played top-pair minutes and played in every situation.

9. Nikita Shcherbakov, Tolpar Ufa (MHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 13th (Among EU skaters)

Known more for his defensive game, Nikita Shcherbakov spent time across three different leagues in Russia during his draft-year season. He played seven games in the KHL, and while he did not record a point, he proved that he had the capability of playing at the highest level in Russia. From the backend of the ice, Shcherbakov has plenty of mobility and top-end skating ability to stay with higher competition at both ends and has the size to be a physical presence when he needs to be.

Being a raw talent, Shcherbakov has plenty of room to grow, both with his overall game and learning how to use his size. He is likely to be more of a shutdown defenseman at the next level, but has shown some offensive flashes as well.

8. William Håkansson, Lulea HF (SHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 12th (Among EU skaters)

Sticking with the “defensive defenseman” theme, William Håkansson fits that bill very well. He made the jump to the professional ranks this season in the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan and tallied a total of six points between the two leagues. While the numbers may not jump off the page, Håkansson is very confident and comfortable in the offensive zone, playing a calm game when he does have the puck on his stick. He also has the puck skills and passing abilities to help make him a threat on the power play.

Where his game stands out the most, though, is on the defensive side. He is aggressive defensively, whether it is on his end of the ice or in the offensive zone in transition. He does not play overly physical, but plays a strong defensive game that leads many to believe he has the potential to be a shutdown defenseman who relies on his smarts and confidence. Offensively, he is likely to be a complementary player at the next level.

7. Malte Gustafsson, HV71 (SHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 7th (Among EU skaters)

After a really strong showing at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Sweden, where he tallied six points in five tournament games, Malte Gustafsson started to grab the attention of many with his play. Splitting time between the U20 Nationell and SHL this season, the big defenseman showed off his two-way game in his draft-year season. He plays a simple game and is efficient at both ends (even if the offensive numbers do not show it). At the SHL level, the 17-year-old played solid minutes as a youngster and proved he was ready to play at the pro level, using his size, speed, and poise to be a reliable shutdown defenseman.

Standing at 6-foot-4, Gustafsson uses his body a bit more than Håkansson does, but the two do have similar games in the aspect of being reliable in their end of the ice and having the ability to help out offensively. Gustafsson is very smart with the puck, but if he can develop his shot as he continues to mature his game, he could end up being a strong two-way defenseman within an NHL organization.

6. Juho Piiparinen, Tappara (Liiga)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 6th (Among EU skaters)

Juho Piiparinen is one of the most intriguing defensemen in the 2026 Draft, being both a coveted right-handed shot and possibly the best defensive defenseman in this year’s class. He is not going to be a defenseman who will light up the scoresheet by any means, which may limit his draft value, but he is very fundamentally and positionally sound defensively. He has the IQ and skill set to play either a physical game or rely on his skating and positioning to shut down opponents anywhere on the ice.

His leadership stands out as well, as he is currently serving as Finland’s captain at the U18 World Junior Championships. Overall, Piiparinen is a defenseman that a lot of organizations would love to have due to the fact that he has the shutdown style of play in his arsenal.

5. Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 5th (Among NA skaters)

While Piiparinen’s offensive game might not be something that sticks out, that is far from the case when it comes to Daxon Rudolph. THW’s own Dayton Reimer views him as an underrated defenseman in this year’s class, and if he is to fall a bit in the 2026 Draft, whatever organization benefits from it will love what they are getting from Rudolph. He has great skating ability that helps him maneuver the ice well, and then once in the offensive zone, his IQ, hockey sense, and vision kick in. Whether it’s finding lanes for a shot himself, possessing a heavy and accurate shot, or finding a teammate, Rudolph is a threat at all times offensively.

Defensively, his game is calm and poised, and he does a really good job shutting down rushes in the neutral zone. Overall, Rudolph has a strong two-way game that is led by having great offensive tools in his toolbox.

4. Keaton Verhoeff, North Dakota (NCAA)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 4th (Among NA skaters)

The third youngest player in the NCAA this season, after making the jump from the WHL, Keaton Verhoeff had a strong freshman season at the University of North Dakota ahead of the 2026 Draft. He was heavily relied on throughout the season, playing in every situation and playing north of 20 minutes a night. He is another right-shot defenseman who has the offensive prowess to be a threat at any point in a game, helped out by his hockey sense and top-notch shot.

Verhoeff has all of the tools to be a top-four defenseman in the NHL, and had a strong showing for Canada at the U20 WJC, and is captaining the U18 team currently at the WJC. If he can continue to work on his skating abilities, he has a chance to be a difference maker for whatever NHL organization takes him in June.

3. Carson Carels, Prince Albert Cougars (WHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 3rd (Among NA skaters)

The highest-ranked prospect from the WHL, Carson Carels, has a great two-way game. Not only does he use his elite skating ability to help him on the offensive side of the game, but he also uses it to limit opponents’ time and space with the puck on their stick. He is great in transition defensively and limits high-danger chances against him.

The strength Carels possesses also works in his favor at both ends of the ice, and he has great offensive skill, serving as both a playmaker with his passing skill and a goal-scoring threat with the great wrist shot in his arsenal. He has

2. Alberts Šmits, EHC München (DEL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 2nd (Among EU skaters)

Alberts Šmits has had a busy draft-year season, playing not only in the U20 WJC for Latvia but also representing his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics and playing in three different leagues throughout the season. The young Latvian-born defenseman has plenty of confidence in his game and has a strong two-way game that has helped him really catch the eye of many throughout the 2025-26 season.

Šmits can play a physical game defensively, but is also fundamentally sound when it comes to his position. He has the skill set to be an offensive threat as well, and he has shown that off with München of the DEL in the playoffs, putting up six points in 11 games as of April 27. He has the potential to be a top-pair defenseman at the NHL level while becoming the highest-drafted Latvian player in NHL Draft history, with that honor currently being held by Zemgus Girgensons (14th overall in the 2012 Draft).

1. Chase Reid, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

NHL Central Scouting Rank: 2nd (Among NA skaters)

The ascent of Chase Reid continues to be one of this year’s biggest stories leading up to the 2026 Draft. After making his way to the OHL mid-season last season from the North American Hockey League (NAHL), Reid has become one of the OHL’s top defenseman with the Soo Greyhounds. When you watch him play, there is very little not to love about the way he plays. He has the speed, edgework, and overall skillset to end up being a two-way defenseman at the NHL level, along with the ability to play in any and all situations.

While Reid has seen plenty of development and growth in his game over the last season, there is still the belief that he can continue to take his game to another level as he matures, making him a prospect who should hear his name called very early when the 2026 Draft comes around in June.

Deep Group of Defensemen in the 2026 Draft

While the aforementioned players lead the way when it comes to the defensemen in this year’s class, there is plenty of talent and depth in the overall group. Whether a defensive defenseman or one who can be an offensive force, there should be plenty of players who man the blue line, hearing their names called at the 2026 Draft.