Top 75 NHL-affiliated skater prospects in 2026-27

Daily Faceoff has released its fourth annual ranking of the top 75 NHL-affiliated skater prospects for the 2026-27 season, with Gavin McKenna of the Toronto Maple Leafs claiming the No. 1 spot. The list follows a tradition of top overall picks leading the rankings, with Connor Bedard (2023), Macklin Celebrini (2024), and Matthew Schaefer (2025) previously topping the list. Schaefer, last year's No. 1 prospect, went on to win the Calder Trophy in what was described as one of the best rookie campaigns ever seen from a defender, and graduates from the previous list include notable names such as Ivan Demidov, Michael Misa, and Zeev Buium.