While the 2026 class features an impressive collection of defensemen, the forward group is headlined by one of the most exciting offensive prospects in recent memory and backed by a collection of skilled wingers, power centers, and high-upside two-way forwards. Some project as franchise scorers. Others may become matchup centers, power forwards, or complementary offensive pieces. The variety of styles makes this one of the more fascinating forward classes in recent years. 

Player	Skating	Skill	Hockey IQ	NHL Ceiling	Fantasy Ceiling
Gavin McKenna	Good	Elite	Elite	Franchise Forward	100+ points
Ivar Stenberg	Very Good	Elite	Elite	First-Line Winger	75-85 points
Wyatt Cullen	High	High	Elite	Top-Line Winger	75-85 points
Viggo Björck	High	High	Elite	Top-Line Forward	70-80 points
J.P. Hurlbert	Average	High	High	Top-Line Winger	70-80 points
Tynan Lawrence	High	Very Good	Good	1C/2C	70-80 points
Ethan Belchetz	Below Average	High	Good	Top-Six Power Forward	65-75 points
Nikita Klepov	High	High	Good	Top-Six Winger	65-75 points
Caleb Malhotra	Below Average	Very Good	Elite	Two-Way 1C	65-75 points
Markus Ruck	Below Average	High	High	Top-Six Forward	65-75 points
Liam Ruck	Below Average	High	Elite	Top-Six Winger	65-75 points
Yegor Shilov	Average	High	High	Top-Six Winger	60-70 points
Maddox Dagenais	Good	Good	Good	Power Forward	60-70 points
Oscar Hemming	Average	Good	High	Top-Six Winger	60-70 points
Alexander Command	Good	Good	High	Middle-Six Center	55-65 points
Adam Novotný	Elite	Good	High	Middle-Six Center	55-65 points
Ilia Morozov	Average	Good	High	Two-Way Center	55-65 points
Elton Hermansson	Good	High	Good	Middle-Six Winger	55-65 points
Oliver Suvanto	Below Average	Good	High	Matchup Center	50-60 points
Jaxon Cover	Good	High	High	Middle-Six Winger	50-60 points

Tier 1: Franchise Talent

Gavin McKenna

McKenna is a deserving number one here for fantasy. In real life, there are legitimate conversations about some of the other players, but in fantasy, it is clear you want Gavin. He combines great skating, elite puck skills, elite vision, and elite production. Offensively, he impacts every area of the game. He creates offense off the rush, controls possession in-zone, attacks defenders one-on-one, and consistently elevates his linemates.

Unlike many highly skilled junior scorers, McKenna’s game does not rely on a single offensive weapon. He can beat defenders with pace, deception, passing, or finishing ability. His processing speed may ultimately be his greatest strength. He recognizes opportunities before they develop and consistently makes the correct play under pressure.

Best Case: Franchise winger capable of 100-plus points.

Most Likely Outcome: Elite first-line NHL star.

Tier 2: Future Stars

Ivar Stenberg

If McKenna is alone in Tier 1, Stenberg sits comfortably in Tier 2. The Swedish winger combines dynamic skating, creativity, and offensive intelligence with a proven track record against strong competition. He attacks defenders aggressively and constantly pressures defensive structures.

What separates Stenberg from many skilled European wingers is his competitiveness. He consistently fights for possession and remains involved away from the puck. His game appears highly translatable to North American hockey, giving him one of the safest projections in the class.

Best Case: Jack Hughes.

Most Likely Outcome: First-line scoring Forward.

Tier 3: Potential Top-Line Forwards

Viggo Björck

Size may be the one thing Björck doesn't have, but he has just about every other trait you'd want in a top-line NHL forward. His puck skills, creativity, and competitiveness jump off the screen immediately. What often gets overlooked is that he spent his entire draft year playing against men in Sweden and not only survived but frequently excelled. On many nights, he was every bit as impactful as highly regarded countryman Stenberg, and there were stretches where he outperformed him.

Björck competes far bigger than his measurements and consistently finds ways to impact the game in all three zones. The bigger question may actually be whether his offensive ceiling reaches the elite heights of a player like Stenberg. Similar to Malhotra, Björck is such a complete player that some of his value comes from areas that don’t always show up on the scoresheet. Regardless, the upside remains enormous.

Best Case: Brayden Point.
Most Likely Outcome: High-end top-six forward.

–

J.P. Hurlbert

Hurlbert may ultimately emerge as one of the biggest risers in the class. His combination of pace, skill, and offensive instincts allows him to create offense in multiple ways. He attacks with confidence and demonstrates strong finishing ability while also creating opportunities for teammates.

Unlike some offensive wingers, Hurlbert’s game remains involved and competitive away from the puck. The offensive upside is substantial, and as he continues to add strength, there is legitimate first-line potential.

Best Case: Sam Reinhart.

Most Likely Outcome: Top-six NHL scorer.

–

Wyatt Cullen

Cullen may possess one of the highest hockey IQs among forwards in the draft. His game is built around anticipation, positioning, and playmaking. He consistently appears one step ahead of opponents and creates offensive opportunities through intelligence rather than purely through skill.

The growth curve here is fascinating. After reportedly growing more than six inches during his development path, Cullen is still learning how to fully utilize his frame. Add in the bloodlines of father Matt Cullen and the upcoming development environment at the University of Minnesota, and there is substantial upside still waiting to be unlocked.

Best Case: Logan Cooley.

Most Likely Outcome: Reliable top-six offensive forward.

–

Tynan Lawrence

Among centers, Lawrence may have the best blend of offensive upside and translatable NHL tools. He plays a mature two-way game while still displaying significant offensive creativity. His combination of intelligence, pace, and positional value makes him one of the safest forwards in the class.

Best Case: Bo Horvat.

Most Likely Outcome: Strong second-line center.

Tier 4: High-Upside NHL Prospects

Nikita Klepov

Klepov combines size, skill, and offensive production in a package NHL teams love. He consistently attacks dangerous areas and has shown the ability to score while also facilitating offense. His combination of physical tools and offensive instincts gives him one of the more intriguing ceilings outside the top tiers.

There is legitimate top-line upside here, but there is also more risk than with players such as Cullen or Lawrence. The offensive flashes are outstanding, but consistency and overall pace of play will determine whether he becomes a true difference-maker or settles into a secondary scoring role. The talent is undeniable, which is why he belongs among this group of future core pieces.

Best Case: Jason Robertson.
Most Likely Outcome: Productive top-six winger.

–

Caleb Malhotra

Malhotra is likely to be one of the most polarizing players in the draft. NHL teams may rank him significantly higher than fantasy managers because of his complete two-way profile. He brings size, responsibility, faceoff ability, defensive awareness, and leadership qualities while still producing meaningful offense.

In some ways, Malhotra’s greatest strength may also be what limits his fantasy ceiling. He is such a complete 200-foot player that coaches will trust him in every situation, but that can sometimes come at the expense of pure offensive production. The floor is extremely high, and he projects as the type of player who helps teams win hockey games for a decade or more.

Best Case: Dylan Larkin.
Most Likely Outcome: High-end two-way second-line center.

–

Markus and Liam Ruck

The Ruck twins present one of the more fascinating evaluations in the draft. Markus brings the higher-end playmaking vision and offensive creativity, while Liam plays a more direct game built around pace, pressure, and goal scoring. Both possess strong hockey sense and consistently find ways to generate offense.

For both players, the primary concerns are similar. Neither is a great skater, and both will need to continue adding strength and physical maturity to maximize their offensive tools against NHL competition. If those areas improve, there is legitimate top-six upside here. An interesting wrinkle is that there may be value in keeping the twins together. Their chemistry and familiarity are obvious, and one organization investing in both could potentially accelerate their development and maximize the strengths each brings to the table.

Best Case: Seth Jarvis for Liam and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Markus.
Most Likely Outcome: Middle-six offensive contributors with power-play value.

–

Ethan Belchetz

Belchetz stands out as the premier power-forward prospect in this tier. He combines size, skill, physicality, and offensive upside in a package that NHL teams will find extremely appealing. Unlike many large forwards, his hands and offensive instincts are legitimate weapons rather than secondary attributes.

As a late birthdate committed to Michigan State, Belchetz may be one of the bigger long-term projection plays in the class. There is substantial room for physical and offensive growth. If everything clicks, he could become a top-line winger capable of driving offense while physically imposing himself on opponents.

Best Case: James Van Riemsdyk
Most Likely Outcome: Top-six power forward who contributes in all situations.

Tier 5: Safe NHL Bets

Alexander Command

Command’s value comes from his intelligence and versatility. He may not possess one truly elite tool, but he does almost everything well. Players with his profile often become valuable NHL contributors because they can be trusted in multiple situations and roles.

Best Case: Joel Eriksson Ek
Most Likely Outcome: Middle-six two-way center.

–

Ilia Morozov

Morozov combines size and skill in a way that immediately attracts NHL scouts. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he already possesses an NHL frame, and there are flashes of top-six offensive upside. The challenge will be bringing consistency to his game often enough to maximize those tools.

Best Case: Jordan Staal.
Most Likely Outcome: Two-way second- or third-line center.

–

Adam Novotný

Novotný is one of the safer forwards in the class. His game is built around intelligence, responsibility, and versatility rather than elite offensive tools. He consistently makes smart decisions with and without the puck and projects as the type of player coaches trust in all situations. While he may lack the high-end skill to become a true offensive driver, he does many things well and has shown an ability to contribute against quality competition.

Best Case: Pavel Zacha
Most Likely Outcome: Reliable middle-six center who contributes in all situations.

–

Elton Hermansson

Hermansson quietly possesses one of the more projectable offensive games outside the top tiers. He thinks the game well, plays with pace, and has shown encouraging growth against stronger competition. There may not be one standout trait, but there is a lot to like in the overall package.

Best Case: Gustav Nyquist.
Most Likely Outcome: Complementary middle-six winger.

–

Oliver Suvanto

Suvanto brings a well-rounded game and solid offensive instincts. He may not have the same ceiling as some of the flashier names in the class, but there is a strong foundation to build upon and a skill set that should translate effectively to professional hockey.

Best Case: Anton Lundell
Most Likely Outcome: Third-line matchup center.

Tier 6: Boom-or-Bust Upside Swings

Maddox Dagenais

Dagenais may be the most intriguing power-forward riser outside of Belchetz. The size, finishing ability, and offensive instincts are all present, but there are still questions surrounding pace and consistency. NHL teams will be willing to bet on the tools.

Best Case: Owen Tippett.
Most Likely Outcome: Middle-six power forward.

–

Yegor Shilov

Shilov is one of the more skilled forwards in this range. His offensive instincts and puck skills create intriguing upside, but questions remain regarding how effectively his game will translate against stronger competition and more structured defensive environments.

Best Case: Pavel Buchnevich
Most Likely Outcome: Middle-six scoring winger.

–

Oscar Hemming

Hemming brings an intriguing combination of size, skating, and offensive touch. The Boston College environment should accelerate his development, and there are flashes of a player who could eventually become a productive top-six winger. The challenge will be consistently unlocking that offense.

Best Case: Max Pacioretty
Most Likely Outcome: Middle-six winger.

–

Jaxon Cover

Cover may have some of the widest variance in the class. The tools are evident, but the consistency can fluctuate. If everything comes together, there is legitimate middle-six scoring upside, but there is also considerable developmental risk.

Best Case: Trevor Zegras.
Most Likely Outcome: Bottom-six energy winger.

Skill Rankings

Best Skaters

1. Gavin McKenna
2. Ivar Stenberg
3. Viggo Björck
4. J.P. Hurlbert
5. Tynan Lawrence

Highest Hockey IQ

1. Viggo Björck
2. Gavin McKenna
3. Wyatt Cullen
4. Caleb Malhotra
5. Ivar Stenberg

Highest Offensive Ceiling

1. Gavin McKenna
2. Ivar Stenberg
3. J.P. Hurlbert
4. Nikita Klepov
5. Wyatt Cullen

Safest NHL Projection

1. Ivar Stenberg
2. Caleb Malhotra
3. Wyatt Cullen
4. Viggo Björck
5. Tynan Lawrence

Biggest Fantasy Sleepers

1. Viggo Björck
2. Ethan Belchetz
3. Yegor Shilov
4. Alexander Command
5. Liam Ruck

Highest Risk / Highest Reward

1. Yegor Shilov
2. Maddox Dagenais
3. Oscar Hemming
4. Jaxon Cover
5. Markus and Liam Ruck

Final Thoughts

The 2026 forward class begins with a clear headliner in McKenna and a strong second option in Stenberg, beyond that, there is some depth. Players such as Hurlbert, Cullen, Lawrence, and Björck offer legitimate top-line upside, while Malhotra, Klepov, the Ruck twins, and Belchetz project as future core pieces for NHL organizations. Beyond them lies a deep group of safe NHL bets and high-variance upside swings, giving scouts and fantasy managers plenty to debate throughout the season. While McKenna sits comfortably atop the class, the battle for positioning behind him remains wide open, making this one of the most intriguing forward groups in recent years.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more fantasy hockey analysis, or if there's a prospect, topic, or theme you'd like me to cover, follow and message me on X: https://x.com/VictorNuno12