The NHL is in the midst of another transition phase as a new wave of young stars is ready to challenge the veteran stars. Macklin Celebrini has demonstrated how quickly a highly touted prospect can become an NHL centerpiece, and the next wave includes several names that could follow a similar path.
Some of the most highly touted NHL prospects in 2026 include Ivar Stenberg, Gavin McKenna, Michael Misa and Porter Martone. All four were ranked in The Athletic’s summer 2026 prospect rankings’ top tier, with McKenna No. 1, Stenberg second, Martone third and Misa fourth.
The group extends beyond those four. “James Hagens, Anton Frondell, Zayne Parekh, Caleb Malhotra, Keaton Verhoeff and a few other young players are also getting noticed as teams are looking for the next generation of future stars.
What makes a young player an NHL prospect?
Being an NHL prospect is more than just being young and talented. Scouts evaluate a player’s skating, hockey sense, physical development, scoring ability, defensive awareness, consistency and play against high level competition.
A draft position can be an early indicator of expectations, but not a guaranty. Some of those high draft picks take a few years to become NHL regulars, while others make an immediate impact.
Depending on the position, the development path can also be different. Maybe a young forward has to improve his defensive game before he really gets a shot in the NHL, or a defenseman needs more time to adjust to the speed and physicality of professional hockey. That makes the 2026 prospect class particularly interesting, as a few players are already on the cusp of making the leap.
1. Gavin McKenna
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
The name that is front and center in the 2026 prospect conversation is Gavin McKenna. McKenna was already considered one of the top young players available when Toronto took the left wing No. 1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. NHL Central Scouting ranked him No. 1 among North American skaters in the draft, citing his skating, competitiveness and hockey sense as major strengths.
McKenna played for Penn State in 2025-26 and scored 51 points in 35 games, 15 goals and 36 assists. The biggest question now is how fast can he transfer those skills to the NHL. If McKenna’s development follows the path scouts anticipate, Toronto has a franchise player on its hands.
2. Ivar Stenberg
Team: San Jose Sharks
Another name that is expected to be key to the NHL’s next generation is Ivar Stenberg. Another name that is expected to be key to the NHL’s next generation is Ivar Stenberg. The Swedish winger was the top-ranked international skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings ahead of the 2026 draft. The Swedish winger was the top-ranked international skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings ahead of the 2026 draft.
The Sharks picked Stenberg second overall, adding him to an organization that already has one of the league’s most exciting young stars in Macklin Celebrini. That mix makes the Sharks one of the teams to watch when talking about the future of the NHL. Stenberg’s development could eventually give San Jose another blue-chip offensive player to build around.
3. Porter Martone
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Porter Martone has already shown NHL fans what he has to offer. Martone was drafted No. 6 overall by the Philadelphia Fliers in the 2025 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut in 2025-26. He had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in nine regular-season games after signing with the Fliers.
His arrival also coincided with a big moment for Philadelphia, which was back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2019-20. Martone was third on the Athletic’s summer 2026 list of the NHL’s top drafted prospects, only behind McKenna and Stenberg.
His size, offensive skill and maturity make him one of the most intriguing young hockey players entering the next phase of his career.
4. Michael Misa
Team: San Jose Sharks
Another reason to be optimistic about San Jose from Michael Misa. The Sharks selected Misa No. 2 in the 2025 NHL Draft and he’s already beginning the transition to NHL hockey. NHL Central Scouting has compared his style of play to Utah’s Clayton Keller and labeled him a player with the skill set to be an important offensive contributor.
Misa’s development is especially worth following because he could eventually form part of a talented young core with Celebrini and Stenberg. If all three reach their projected ceiling, San Jose could boast one of the league’s more interesting young forward groups.
5. James Hagens
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Another name that still finds itself near the top of the draft talent evaluations is James Hagens. Hagens was one of The Hockey News’ top-ranked young players in its 2026 Future Watch rankings and joined the AHL on an amateur tryout when his college season ended, a move that hinted at a possible eventual move to the pro ranks.
His development is particularly interesting as Chicago already has Connor Bedard at the heart of its rebuild. Another top young forward could be a key building block for the Blackhawks for years to come.
6. Anton Frondell
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Anton Frondell is another Chicago prospect who could be part of the organization’s next competitive team. Frondell was ranked among the top names in The Hockey News’ 2026 Future Watch and dressed for his first NHL game after his season with Djurgarden wrapped up.
Timing is key for Chicago. The organization is looking to build around a young core and Frondell could give the team another option as it builds its forward group. His early exposure to the NHL should help speed up the transition from junior and European hockey to the league’s demands.
7. Zayne Parekh
Team: Calgary Flames
Zayne Parekh is the kind of young defenseman who could be a real asset in the NHL right now. Defensemen develop differently than forwards and generally teams give them more time to adjust before giving them big responsibilities. Mobile defensemen who can move the puck and contribute on the power play are increasingly important, and with Parekh’s offensive upside, he’s a particularly interesting player.
Parekh was one of The Hockey News’ highest-rated prospects in its 2026 Future Watch rankings, and was also listed in the Athletic’s summer prospect rankings.
8. Caleb Malhotra
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Notable young forwards to watch include Caleb Malhotra, who was taken fourth overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. The center was one of the top North American prospects entering the draft and was selected by Buffalo, giving the Sabers another young player they can potentially build around.
Centers who can impact the game at both ends of the ice are valuable, and Malhotra’s development will be one of the more interesting stories to follow as Buffalo continues to build out its roster.
9. Keaton Verhoeff
Team: Winnipeg Jets
Keaton Verhoeff is a defenseman who adds another dimension to the 2026 prospect group. Verhoeff No. 8 was selected by Winnipeg in the 2026 draft, after being ranked among the top North American skaters in a draft cycle . His development may require some patience, but his draft position shows the value teams saw in his upside. Finding another young defenseman that could eventually play big minutes in the NHL could be big for the organization’s long-term plans for Winnipeg.
10. Cole Hutson
Team: Washington Capitals
Another young defenseman who has gotten a lot of attention is Cole Hutson. He’s one of a larger group of prospects that should contend for NHL jobs in the 2026-27 season. His name is also starting to be thrown around in early Calder Trophy chatter, a reminder of how quickly expectations can skyrocket for a young player once he starts to play in a full-time NHL role. Hutson’s development will be interesting to follow as defensemen often have to balance offensive creativity with the responsibility of defending against NHL forwards.
Other young hockey players to watch
The list does not end at 10 names. Other recent draft picks being tracked by scouts and NHL organizations in the next wave of hockey talent include Viggo Björck, Carson Carels, Daxon Rudolph, Malte Gustafsson and Albert Smits.
There is a lot of depth in the 2026 prospect pool with multiple draft classes of players aging up at the same time. The Athletic’s summer list of the top 100 drafted skaters included 24 players from the 2026 draft, 25 from the 2025 draft and 23 from the 2024 draft.
That suggests the next generation is not going to come from a single draft class.
Macklin Celebrini shows how quickly prospects can become stars
Macklin Celebrini belongs in any conversation about the NHL’s future stars in 2026, considering that he’s already beyond the traditional “prospect” label. The Sharks’ San Jose center is the type of player teams look for when they have a top draft pick. Celebrini was instantly transformed from a highly rated prospect to a core piece of an NHL franchise.
His presence also makes for an interesting angle on San Jose’s future. With Misa and Stenberg also in the organization’s young talent pool, the Sharks have several players who could eventually be important pieces of the same core.
Which teams have the most exciting young talent?
There are a few organizations that stand out for their volume or quality of young players coming thru their systems. Take San Jose, for instance. Celebrini is already an emerging NHL star, while Misa and Stenberg give the organization two more top young forwards.
Toronto’s choice of McKenna gives the Maple Leafs another top prospect to watch and Philly has Martone after his promising NHL debut. Another team to watch is Chicago, due to the combo of Bedard and prospects like Hagens and Frondell.
None of these teams may be contenders right now, but their youth could change the NHL’s pecking order later this decade.
How NHL prospects become future stars
Talent is only the start. A prospect has to stay healthy, adjust to the professional game, and continue to improve as opponents start to dig into him. Coaches can also change a player’s role, asking a naturally offensive player to take on more defensive responsibility.
The best young players evolve different parts of their game. Scoring will get them noticed, but it is defensive awareness, skating, decision-making and consistency that will determine whether they can stay effective against the best players in the world. That’s why rankings of prospects can change quickly.
As these prospects develop into established NHL players, fans can also explore our guide to the best hockey players in the world in 2026 to see how today’s young talent compares with the game’s leading stars
Why prospect rankings should be treated carefully
There’s no guaranty the top-ranked prospect will be the best NHL player out of his draft class. Scouting is a measure of potential, not a prediction of certainty. Injuries, development environments, coaching decisions and individual progression can all be influences in a player’s trajectory. Rankings are more helpful as a guide of who should be noticed than as a definitive list of future NHL superstars for fans who follow NHL prospects.
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