The Hockey News

The Hockey News is an iconic, authoritative and trusted voice of hockey. It was founded in 1947 and grew to become known as The Bible of Hockey. Once a tabloid newspaper, it has evolved into a multi-platform brand that goes deeper and broader than anyone in the industry. The Hockey News publishes regular editions plus its special editions that include the Yearbook, Ultimate Pool Guide and Money and Power.

MASTHEAD

BLUE & WHITE READ ALL OVER

NHL PLAYOFF FORMAT • Owners Are Now Not Happy

ONE TOOL IN THE BOX • Patrick Bacon doesn’t think his model alone can crack the draft-day code, but he believes his analysis can help ‘save a lot of people from making a lot of mistakes’

BEHIND THE MASK

JERSEY HOUND

MONEY MISS-O-METER • These bought-out or traded players were responsible for the largest dead-cap burdens this season. They serve as a warning to cash-splash-happy GMs

IN THE CARDS

THE COUNTDOWN • Which NHL organizations have spent the most draft capital on trying to solidify the blue paint since 2006?

PUCK CULTURE • Thirty-five years ago, several card companies tried to cash in on the rookie-card craze by making “pre-rookie” cards of recently drafted players. The results were mixed

2026 DRAFT ORDER

PICKS BY ROUND

‘EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING’ • John Garrett had a deep knowledge of the game and never took himself too seriously. And that made him a beloved figure to his colleagues, friends and fans

HAVE NO FEAR • While there’s a chance Gavin McKenna struggles in his rookie season, he’s shown his resilience at each development step. And with everything he brings to the table, he is going to make an NHL team very happy

OTTO PILOT • Seeing his older bro navigate his NHL draft year has helped Ivar Stenberg put his best foot forward. And the battles the brothers waged as kids didn’t hurt, either

GAVIN MCKENNA VS. IVAR STENBERG

THE OL’ TRY COLLEGE • Keaton Verhoeff realized he needed to improve his 200-foot game to become a better pro. And he believed heading to North Dakota was the best way to do it

BET THE FARM • Carson Carels does not hesitate to do the grunt work, whether that’s on his family’s land or at the rink. When you mix that work ethic and strength with his puck skills, it makes him a lock to be selected in the top 10at this year’s draft

TEXAS TORNADO • Although JP Hurlbert was new to the Great White North this year, he quickly became ago-to player for the Kamloops Blazers. And after tying for the rookie-scoring lead in the CHL, he’s entrenched himself as a name to watch for at this year’s NHL draft

SIBLING REFINERY • Most brothers constantly fight in an effort to gain supremacy, but twins Liam and Markus Ruck are much more interested in using their bond to build each other into the best players they can be

A WHALE OF A JOB • Getting the Vancouver Canucks back into contention will be no easy task. But the work can now begin in earnest with the team finally settling on a no-shortcuts rebuild

THN DRAFT RANKINGS • A plethora of creative names will appear on NHL boards when the 2026 draft unfolds. Make note of them now

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 1-4

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 5-8

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 9-12

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 13-16

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 17-20

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 21-24

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 25-28

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 29-32

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 33-36

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 37-40

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 41-44

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 45-48

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 49-52

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 53-56

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 57-60

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 61-64

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 65-76

TOP 100 PROSPECTS: 77-88

TOP 100 PROSPECTS:...