Stenberg tops Central Scouting midterm rankings for International skaters ahead of 2026 NHL Draft
Artis Abols, who coached Latvia at the WJC, said that will allow teams to assess how close Smits is to being NHL-ready.
“He has good size, he’s a good skater,” Abols said. “Is this (Matthew) Schaefer, what he’s doing in the NHL? I think physically, [Smits] is ready.”
Suvanto (6-3, 207) scored two goals in seven games for Finland at the WJC, and the 17-year-old has seven points (two goals, five assists) in 30 games for Tappara.
“Oliver Suvanto is the most complete and mature 17-year-old center seen in Liiga since Aleksander Barkov,” Vuorinen said. “He has already been trusted in key roles for powerhouse Tappara. His strong skating, balance and physical strength make him highly effective in face-offs, battles and defensive coverage. A natural two-way player, he combines reliability and intelligence, rarely making mistakes while consistently supporting both ends of the ice.”
Hermansson (6-1, 181) has 15 points (nine goals, six assists) 24 games for MoDo. He also helped Sweden win the silver medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, getting 11 points (six goals, five assists) in five games, which was tied for second among all players.
“He showcases elite puck-handling and offensive creativity, standing out as one of the most technically skilled prospects in Europe this year,” Vuorinen said. “His ability to carry the puck through traffic and create space for teammates makes him a constant threat, particularly on the power play, where his one-timer and quick release are deadly. He demonstrates vision and patience, often manipulating defenders with deceptive stickhandling and creative passing plays. His offensive instincts consistently put him in high-danger scoring areas.”
Bjorck (5-9, 177) has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 25 games for Djurgarden and was a standout for Sweden at the WJC, getting nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games.
“He continues to display elite skating and creativity, standing out as one of Sweden’s most dynamic young forwards,” Vuorinen said. “His acceleration and edgework work is fine in smaller areas, while his hockey IQ shines through clever puck movement and spatial awareness in tight places. He plays with confidence and flair, using deceptive hands and a quick release, particularly on his wrist shot, to generate dangerous scoring chances. His energy, forechecking and two-way commitment, together with his toolset, make him a valuable all-situations forward.”
Dmitri Borichev (6-2, 194) is No. 1 among International goaltenders. The 17-year-old is 6-6-0 with a 1.79 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and three shutouts in 14 games with Loko-76 Yaroslavl in Russia’s junior league.
