Weekly 2026 Draft Eligible Three Stars
Draft-eligible talent across junior and professional leagues continued to deliver in high-pressure situations this week, with playoff hockey and international competition providing the perfect stage for prospects to elevate their stock. As the 2026 NHL Draft approaches, consistent production and timely performances remain key separators among the class.
This week’s three stars feature a towering Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) center finding his stride in a crucial push for a game 7, a Swedish pivot dominating at the U20 level following his SHL season, and a well-traveled Latvian defender who has found his offensive touch in the DEL playoffs.
Here are the draft-eligible three stars for the week of March 30 to April 6.
Maddox Dagenais | C | Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Quebec Remparts center Maddox Dagenais put together an impressive draft season, positioning himself as a potential late first-round or early second-round selection. The 37th-ranked skater on Draft Prospects Hockey’s 2026 NHL Draft Rankings finished tied for third among QMJHL draft eligibles with 30 goals, while his 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) ranked fifth in the group. The 6-foot-4 pivot also represented Team CHL at the second annual CHL USA Prospects Challenge, recording an assist across the three-game series.
Dagenais has elevated his play as the stakes have increased in the postseason. Despite being held off the scoresheet in Games 1 and 2 against the Charlottetown Islanders — registering 11 shots on goal over that span — the Montreal native has responded with six points (three goals, three assists) in the following four games, helping the Remparts push their series to a decisive Game 7.
In Game 3, with the score tied late in regulation, Dagenais helped initiate the sequence that led to a dramatic, last-second power-play goal as Quebec secured a crucial victory. He followed that up with a standout performance in Game 4, opening the scoring with a strong end-to-end rush capped by a precise wrist shot over the glove. Later in the game, with under a minute remaining, he added another goal to bring the Remparts within one, though the comeback ultimately fell short in a 3-2 loss.
Dagenais recorded an assist in Game 5, continuing to generate offense despite another narrow 3-2 defeat. Facing elimination in Game 6, he delivered one of his most impactful performances of the series. He helped open the scoring by moving the puck to the point for a goal by defenseman Charlie Morrison. In the third period he moved the puck down low before finding space on a 4-on-3 power play, where he buried a one-timer over the glove to extend the lead and help force a winner-take-all Game 7.
Viggo Björck | C | Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Swedish center Viggo Björck continues to reinforce his status as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft class. Following the conclusion of Djurgårdens’ SHL season, the Stockholm native joined the club’s U20 side for the playoffs and has been a dominant offensive presence. His 12 points (six goals, six assists) in five postseason games for 2.40 points per game ranks as the best point-per-game mark for draft eligibles in the U20 Nationell. He has been playing a key role in pushing his team to the semifinals.
Björck made an immediate impact in the series opener against Leksands. He evened the score at one midway through the second period, jumping into open space off the bench and finishing quickly with a wrist shot. The 2026 World Junior gold medalist struck again in the third period, breaking a 3-3 tie with a power-play goal after finding himself uncovered in the slot. He later added an assist on the empty-net goal to seal a 5-3 victory.
The skilled forward followed that up with another strong showing in Game 2. Björck opened the scoring with an impressive individual effort, taking a pass through the neutral zone, driving wide while protecting the puck, and finishing with a smooth backhand-to-forehand move to lift the puck over the goaltender. He added a power-play assist later in the game as Djurgårdens secured a 2-0 win and took a two-game series lead.
Albert Smits | LHD | EHC München (DEL)
Latvian defender Albert Smits has taken an unconventional path in his draft year, gaining experience across multiple leagues and international stages. The December-born blueliner began the season in Finland with Jukurit, recording 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 38 games. He later logged significant minutes for Latvia at the 2026 World Junior Championship and represented his country at the Olympic Games, where he contributed two assists in four contests.
Following the Olympics, Smits joined EHC München on a loan for the stretch run and postseason. After a limited role in the regular season, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound defender has found another level offensively in the playoffs.
In a back-and-forth contested series against ERC Ingolstadt, Smits broke through in Game 5, extending his team’s lead in the third period with a heavy point shot that beat the goaltender cleanly. He followed that performance with a three-point effort in Game 6, recording two secondary assists before adding an empty-net goal to help seal a 7-3 victory.
Smits’ recent surge highlights his ability to adapt quickly and contribute in key moments, further strengthening his case as one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in the 2026 class.