5. Oliver Suvanto (Tappara, Finland)
The defensive game of the sizable 6-foot-3 and 215-pound Finnish center Oliver Suvanto is one of the most well-rounded and impressive of any center in this draft class. He's a strong skater and plays the body physically in all three zones on the ice.
Suvanto possesses one of the most polished and NHL-ready two-way games among centers in this draft class. Playing in a top-end pro league overseas in Finland this past season, Suvanto proved himself while playing in a top-six role offensively for Tappara.
His blend of size, skating, and defensive awareness gives him one of the safest projections among first-round center prospects.
4. Alexander Command (Orebro, Sweden-Jr.)
One of the biggest risers in the draft over the past few months has been Örebro center Alexander Command. The 17-year-old center caught more attention from the media and scouts alike this past year for Orebro in an impressive season in the 2025-26 campaign.
He's a strong two-way player who works hard with the puck and away from the play and he has great hockey IQ in all three zones. The consistency and solid stats Command posted for Orebro this past season prove he is deserving of a first round pick in this year's draft.
The biggest reason Command ranks this high is the combination of upside and consistency. Few centers in this class improved their stock more over the past year while continuing to produce at a high level.
Command is a prospect to watch as someone who could be available around the middle of the first round and just outside of the lottery, where the Kings will be picking in the 2026 draft.
3. Viggo Bjorck (Djurgarden, Sweden)
While talented center Viggo Bjorck is a bit undersized, his playmaking, speed, and creativity as a passer and a playmaker in the offensive zone and in transition makes him a clear-cut Tier 1 or Tier 2 prospect in this draft class.
Björck's elite skating ability, creativity, and hockey IQ make him one of the most dynamic offensive centers in the entire draft class.
I don't think his size will be an issue in the defensive zone, especially if Bjorck can stay assignment sound and use his speed to his advantage.
The only reason Björck ranks behind the top two centers is his size, which creates slightly more projection risk than some of the larger prospects ahead of him.
A strong performance this year in the World Juniors for Team Sweden solidified Bjorck's stock as a top 10 pick in the first round of this 2026 draft lottery.
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