It is safe to say things have not gone well for the New Jersey Devils this season. Prior to the year, the thought was the squad would be contending for a Metropolitan Division crown. Instead, looking toward the 2026 NHL Entry Draft is a more practical exercise at this point and time.
With the Devils’ playoff hopes as dim as can be without officially being eliminated, it is worth to look ahead to the offseason. Let’s take a look at some of the top draft-eligible forwards in the 2026 edition of the draft. An article taking a look at some top-10 defensive options will come out at a later date.
As it stands, the Devils own the seventh-worst record in the league. Lottery aside, a top-10 pick seems extremely likely pending a heater down the stretch.
Forwards
Gavin McKenna
From a name recognition standpoint, Gavin McKenna tops the list of 2026 draft eligibles. The 18-year-old Canadien had a historic 2024-25 season in the WHL where he posted 129 points in 56 games. The six-foot, 170 pounder has followed that up with a decent collegiate season, where he currently had 33 points in 26 games for Penn State University.
McKenna has long been viewed as the consensus first overall pick in 2026. However, a so-so debut collegiate season and emergence of some other top prospects have some questioning that.
Ivar Stenberg
One of those who are starting to rival McKenna as a potential first-overall pick is Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg. Stenberg has been killing it in the SHL as only an 18-year-old. Through 34 games, he has 30 points in Sweden’s top professional league. Not to mention, he also performed admirably at the World Junior Championships where he had 10 points in seven games.
The whispers are getting louder that the six-foot, 181-pounder has a legit shot to overtake McKenna come draft night. Almost a point-per-game output at one of the best professional leagues in the world at 18 is extraordinary.
Tynan Lawrence
Tynan Lawrence is only 17 years old and plays the always-desired center position. Lawrence is not viewed in the same breath as McKenna or Stenberg, but should be a top-10 pick despite issues with injuries this season.
Lawrence is viewed more of a two-way player than the first two forwards on this list. He has played in both the USHL and NCAA this season. He had 17 points (10 goals) as the captan of Muskegon in the USLH after recovering for a preseason injury before joining Boston University mid-collegiate season where he has gotten off to a woefully slow start (two points in 13 games).
Despite the slow start, Lawrence is still viewed by many as the top center available in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Drafting based off the skill set over production is always a risky endeavor, but what Lawrence can become is what is so attractive according to many.
Caleb Malhotra
Another prospect lauded for his two-way game is Brantford Bulldogs’ Caleb Malhotra. In the OHL this season, Malhotra has 68 points (26 goals) in 53 games. His 68 points ranks 11th in the league. Malhotra, son of former NHLer Manny, is set to join Boston University in 2026-27 as well.
Malhotra, also 17, could rival Tynan Lawrence as the first center taken off the board. He also has strong size at 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds. Again, another player that should project vey well both offensively and defensively.
Ethan Belchetz
If want size OHL forward Ethan Belchetz is the player for you. Belchetz is listed as a massive 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds at only 17 years old. The winger has spent the last two seasons in the OHL with Windsor. He has 56 points (32 goals) in 52 games this season. The 32 goals ranks fifth in the league.
Belchetz is a very strong goal scorer who does well using his size. As one can imagine, his skating needs work which is always a worry for an individual of that size. Regardless, the skill paired with the frame is veritably intriguing and likely will result in him being a top-10 pick.
Viggo Björck
On the complete other end of the size spectrum is Swedish center Viggo Björck. Björck is listed as a measly 5-foot-10 and 172 pounds. However, as one can imagine, the skill is off the charts. Björck had a staggering 74 points in 42 under-20 junior league games in Sweden last year. Of 18,604 different individual seasons in the Swedish under-20 league, that was the most points ever scored.
Björck has followed that up with 10 points in 33 SHL games this season at only 17 years old. The size of course will be a question, but the skill will certainly not be. Björck also flashed at the World Junior Championships where he had nine points in seven games.