Ivar Stenberg and Gavin McKenna vie for top winger spot in 2026 NHL Draft

Gavin McKenna, a 5‑foot‑11 winger from Penn State and Canada, recorded 129 points in 56 WHL games, won the Big Ten scoring title and was a Hobey Baker finalist as a draft‑eligible freshman. He added 14 points for Canada at the World Juniors and is praised for elite puck skills and vision, though scouts note his limited physicality.

Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg, also 5‑foot‑11, posted 33 points in 43 SHL games for Frölunda and helped Sweden capture gold at the World Juniors. He is regarded as a strong goal scorer with a high‑energy, hard‑working style that translates well against professional competition. Analysts compare him to players such as Clayton Keller and Jake Guentzel.

The scouting debate centers on McKenna’s exceptional offensive ceiling versus Stenberg’s more “play‑ready” consistency and intensity. Both are projected to be immediate impact players and are considered the leading contenders for the No. 1 forward selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.