Cam's Consensus: Midseason 2026 NHL Draft scouts poll

A lot has changed since the preseason board in September.

After half a season of league play and multiple major international events, most notably the World Junior Championship, NHL scouting staffs have a much better handle on the 2026 draft class. More viewings and more context have led to a firmer grip on both the upsides and the risks.

The sample size also grew stronger. Ten NHL scouts from ten different teams took part this time, and all submitted at least 20 names, with a few going well beyond that. The added depth matters, separating tiers and showing where opinions begin to diverge.

The most noteworthy movement happened at the top.

Ivar Stenberg jumps to No. 1, and Gavin McKenna slides to No. 2. That change reflects how scouts are balancing projection, certainty, and habits as the seaso