From Swedish phenoms chasing historic scoring records to towering Latvian defenders, discover the elite prospects poised to challenge for top-ten selections on the global stage.
The 2026 NHL Draft is just over a month away, with all the talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs landing the first overall pick and likely taking Gavin McKenna. It is a good time to go over some of the top international skaters that could be taking in the top 10 of the Draft.
Here are the Top 5 International Skaters at the 2026 NHL Draft according to the NHL's International skater draft rankings.
1. Ivar Stenberg (LW) | Frölunda HC (SHL)
Stenberg locked down the top international spot after an impressive year in Sweden. He put up 33 points in 43 games for Frölunda, which is the highest offensive output by an 18-year-old in the SHL since the Sedin twins back in 1998-99.
Play Style: He drives transition at a high level and plays with a really strong sense for when to push pace. There’s a physical element to his game too, especially on the forecheck, and he doesn’t really look out of place against men, which matters in that league more than people think.
2. Alberts Šmits (D) | EHC Red Bull München (DEL)
Šmits has quietly worked his way into top-10 conversations after a strong season in Germany. He also ended up as the youngest player at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he logged real minutes for Latvia rather than just getting sheltered shifts.
Big frame, good stride, and more mobility than you’d expect at 6-foot-3. He defends with reach and positioning more than chaos, and there’s a calmness to his reads that suggests a pretty safe projection into a top-four NHL role.
3. Oliver Suvanto (C) | Tappara (Liiga)
Suvanto spent the year in a structured environment with Tappara, getting regular pro minutes while also dressing for Finland at the World Juniors. It wasn’t flashy, but it was steady development in a winning context.
Play Style: A big, responsible centre who leans into details. Faceoffs, puck protection, defensive reliability. There’s offence in there too, but it’s more about control than creativity, if that makes sense.
4. Viggo Björck (C) | Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Björck held his spot in the top-five conversation through most of the year, putting up 15 points in 42 SHL games while gradually improving his off-puck game.
Play Style: More skill-driven than the others in this range. He’s shifty, can change direction quickly in tight areas, and has enough deception in his shot that goalies can’t really sit on one look.
5. Elton Hermansson (RW) | MoDo Hockey (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Hermansson finished the year with 11 goals and 21 points in 38 games, which is solid production in Sweden’s second tier and enough to get serious attention from scouts.
Play Style: Pure offence-first winger. Quick release, plays with a bit of freedom in his game, and has a knack for finding soft ice in the offensive zone without needing a ton of setup time.