The top of this class presents an intriguing range of players who impact the game in a variety of ways. There’s a combination of size, speed, relentless compete and three-zone detail embedded amongst the group.
In recent years players like Connor Bedard (2023) and Macklin Celebrini (2024) have generated the most attention from their draft classes and remained the consensus top prospect throughout the process. Last year’s first overall pick, New York Islanders rookie Mathew Schaefer, started the year chasing top ranked James Hagens, who ended up being selected seventh overall by the Boston Bruins.
The point is that nothing is given and everything is earned when it comes to being selected first overall at the NHL Draft and there are already a group of top prospects lining up to challenge Gavin McKenna for the coveted top spot.
Here’s a look at two players who are making it known they are worthy of consideration and working hard to reel in McKenna:
Keaton Verhoeff, 6-foot-4, 212 pounds, right shot defenceman, North Dakota (NCAA)
Verhoeff is a Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native who is a freshman at North Dakota after playing in the WHL for the Victoria Royals last season.
Verhoeff produced 21G-24A for the Royals while being deployed in all situations, and his NCAA season is off to a solid start. Verhoeff has produced 2G-1A in his first four official games at North Dakota, while averaging over 20 minutes per game with the Fighting Hawks. The bulk of his ice time comes at even strength and on the power play. Verhoeff is an excellent skater. He’s very agile for a player his stature and has the speed to join the rush as an extra layer offensively.
Here’s a couple of clips illustrating what Verhoeff can provide:
In the first sequence he extends the play along the boards in the offensive zone and uses his long reach and strength to assist with winning a puck battle. The play eventually ends up on his stick before he walks to the middle of the ice to snap home a shot, through a screen, from distance.
The second clip illustrates Verhoeff’s ability to transition the play from defence to offence. His agility and quickness leads to an on-time outlet and Verhoeff joins the rush as an extra layer offensively. Unfortunately, his teammate didn’t drop him the puck despite the amount of time and space Verhoeff would have had heading towards the net.
Verhoeff, like all young prospects, will encounter some growing pains as he develops. The last clip is an example of Verhoeff positioning himself properly to defend the speed rush, but he loses his size and reach advantage — not to mention his balance — when he elects to drop his knee instead of extending his stick to intercept the pass across.
Verhoeff is only four games into his NCAA season and he has a ton of runway ahead of him before the draft in June. He’s playing heavy minutes as a freshman at North Dakota and I would be surprised if he isn’t on Team Canada’s radar for the world juniors. His combination of size, speed and skill are obviously attractive attributes. Not to mention the fact he is a highly coveted right-shot.
He’s a name to keep close tabs on throughout the year and could challenge for first overall.
Ivar Stenberg, 6-feet, 181 pounds, left shot forward, Frolunda (SHL)
Stenberg is playing in Sweden’s top pro league with men and impacting the game offensively. He’s produced 3G-8A in 14 league and Champions League games to start the season. Stenberg plays between 13 and 15 minutes per game at even strength and on the power play. He doesn’t kill penalties at the pro level, but has proven capable of it when suiting up with his age group on Sweden’s national U18 and U20 teams.
Stenberg is flat out one of my favourite players in the draft class. I truly believe he will be in the discussion for top spot by the end of the year. He never quits on a play, is always part of the leadership group with the national team, and produces offence without sacrificing defence.
Here are some examples of how comfortable Stenberg looks at the pro level in Sweden:
In the first clip, Stenberg does what he does best. He’s in the fight along the boards, assists in extending the play, and eventually positions himself around the crease before tucking the puck in the net. He’s a hard and relentless competitor.
NHL players are especially adept at taking advantage of opportunities when opponents break down in coverage. The following highlight illustrates Stenberg’s opponent getting too focused on the puck and not recognizing Stenberg when he joins the play from a line change. Stenberg takes advantage of his opportunity by snapping a puck home from a high danger area of the ice.
As much as I appreciate Stenberg’s detail and compete, he’s no different than any developing player. He will suffer through some growing pains at the pro level. The following clip reminds Stenberg that he has to keep moving his feet when a play isn’t available from the middle of the ice in his zone. He needs to chip it out of danger instead of standing still.
We are a long way from the NHL Draft in June. There are a lot of scouting miles to travel between now and then, but the days and months will go by quickly and the prospects will continue to evolve.
This draft has been widely labelled as the “Gavin McKenna Sweepstakes” and McKenna remains the belle of the ball for now, but Verhoeff and Stenberg are going to make things interesting going forward.