The 2026 NHL Draft approaches, with numerous shifts in rankings. Notably, Viggo Björck, a forward from Djurgärdens, has risen to No. 4 in Craig Button’s list. This marks an impressive leap from his previous position at No. 6.
Björck’s Remarkable Season
Björck’s ascent comes following his standout performance for Sweden. He played a pivotal role in securing Sweden’s first World Junior gold medal since 2012. During the tournament, he netted three goals and tallied nine points across seven games, ultimately being recognized as one of the team’s top three players.
Button praises Björck’s two-way play, comparing him to Nick Suzuki, the captain of the Montreal Canadiens. He emphasized Björck’s ability to contribute significantly in various game situations, stating, “I thought he was just unbelievable in respect to his two-way play.”
Björck’s Club Performance
In addition to international success, Björck had a productive season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) as well. He recorded six goals and 15 points in 42 games with Djurgärdens and added three more points in the playoffs.
Junior Championship Success
After his club’s playoff run ended, Björck helped Djurgärdens’ junior team claim the U20 championship title, further solidifying his reputation as a top prospect. Currently, he is participating in the IIHF Men’s World Championship, where he has contributed one goal and one assist in three preliminary round games.
Malhotra’s Rise in Rankings
Another notable player on Craig Button’s list is Caleb Malhotra of the Brantford Bulldogs. He climbed from No. 11 to No. 6, thanks to a strong playoff performance, despite the Bulldogs falling to the Barrie Colts in the conference finals.
Malhotra scored an impressive 13 goals, accumulating 26 points during the playoffs. Throughout the regular season, he distinguished himself with 29 goals and 84 points in 67 games, showcasing his two-way capabilities.
Button highlighted Malhotra’s potential impact, stating, “Winning and successful teams have what Caleb Malhotra possesses.”
Other Noteworthy Players
Several other players have made significant jumps in the rankings:
- Malte Gustafsson (HV71) – Risen to No. 11 from No. 25 after a strong U18 performance.
- Tommy Bleyl (Moncton Wildcats) – Climbed to No. 26 from No. 39, leading all defencemen in points this season.
Gustafsson contributed as an alternate captain at the U18s, scoring one goal and making five assists. Meanwhile, Bleyl recorded an impressive 81 points in 63 games during his first QMJHL season.
Full Rankings as of May 20
| Rank | Player | Team | Position | Height | Weight | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gavin McKenna | Penn State (NCAA) | LW | 5’11” | 170 lbs | 34 | 55 |
| 4 | Viggo Björck | Djurgärdens | C/RW | 5’9″ | 177 lbs | 26 | 15 |
| 6 | Caleb Malhotra | Brantford (OHL) | C | 6’1 ¼” | 182 lbs | 29 | 84 |
| 11 | Malte Gustafsson | HV71 | D | 6’4 ¼” | 200 lbs | 1 | 5 |
| 26 | Tommy Bleyl | Moncton (QMJHL) | D | 5’10 ¾” | 165 lbs | 10 | 81 |
As the draft approaches, these players will continue to be closely monitored for their potential impact in professional hockey.
