2026 NHL MOCK DRAFT SIMULATION 1.0! (Top 16 Prospect Predictions)

2026 NHL MOCK DRAFT SIMULATION 1.0! (Top 16 Prospect Predictions)

With the first month of the NHL season almost complete and the first NHL frozen frenzy out of the way, we’re now starting to get a good idea of what the standings might look like long term, which means we have a pretty decent idea of which teams might be down in the basement this season and ultimately we’ll have a good shot at that first overall pick. So, that means one thing. We are back here for another NHL draft lottery simulation. Yes, it is super early, but I like to have some fun here on the channel and project which prospects have higher and lower stock, which guys are trending in the right direction, and ultimately if the standings close today, where I think each of these prospects could go. So, make sure you guys watch till the end as we put on full thoughts on all these 16 prospects and where I think they’ll end up going. And make sure you hit that subscribe button if you’re new for more hockey content just like this and prospect content all throughout the year. Now, in terms of the draft lottery results, we didn’t get anything special this time around, but that means that every single team keeps their position, and that means the Calgary Flames, for the first time in franchise history, not just get a top three pick, but get the first overall selection. Now, sure, on the channel so far, I made it clear my disdain for McKenna start at some points, but I do think the skill set is still very clear. And eventually, I do think the NCAA will be a good place for him, just because a lot of his issues right now just kind of come from the defensive involvement and the physicality. And those adjustments, I think, will be easier to make when you’re playing in such a hard league. And once he does make them, he’s going to be a monster. This is somebody that I think has just a dynamic presence, especially on the power play. when you give him any little bit of space, his vision just takes over. His creativity is defining in the game. He can just always make a difference no matter the position he’s in. And that type of differencemaker is something that Calgary has not had for a long time, if ever, on McKenna’s level. But even though I have my nitpicks with his defensive game, I think he’s going to put up massive point totals in the NHL and be one of the best flames of all time if it were to happen. This is the ideal scenario though for Calgary because in all honesty they’re a team that kind of needs a presence like McKenna. Now on the note of Gavin McKenna, I gave you guys a big question in the member poll last week asking you guys which team you think deserves Gavin McKenna the most. Giving you the options between the Sharks, the Flames, the Sabres, and the National Praders. And 50% of you guys said the Calie Flames. 36% of you guys said the Savers and 14% at San Jose. So the train of McKenna to the Flames chugs on. But if you guys want to be a part of the exclusive member polls every week, you can become a member here on the channel by hitting the join button down below by the subscribe button or hitting the link in the description down below. And for a couple bucks a month, you get exclusive, of course, polls. You get exclusive emoji to use in the chat and exclusive videos every single week. I just put out a video ranking every single NHL logo. So, some real fun content for you guys to watch as some extra bonus content. Let’s move on to the second overall selection, and this is where the San Jose Sharks find themselves. Not quite making a ton of progress, but still they’ll be in a pretty good position here in the draft. And at second overall, this is going to be a slam dunk for them. They’re going to run up to the stage to select Katon Verhoff. In my opinion, you can’t really get a better fit than Verhof and San Jose. I think in terms of the style, in terms of what San Jose needs, in terms of the environment, I think Vhoff could be good in it’s practically perfect. I’m a big fan of what Vhoff can bring though, and he’s super young for the NCAA being a June birth date. But at 6’4, 212 pounds, those tools combined with the offensive ability leave a prospect that is super tantalizing. You’ve seen the NCAA hasn’t blown the doors off yet offensively, but still three goals, four points for six in six games. I think he’s adjusted pretty well so far and maybe a little bit better than McKenna has if we’re comparing them two. But even though I don’t see a ton of high-end skating or creativity, I think Barhov just thinks the game very well. He’s very heads up in his decision-making and the physicality there is going to be a massive component of his game. the defensive play and the sturdiness that he plays it with. It’s just a very complete package already. The question will be how much runway does he have? Is there going to be a potential number one here? But I think the Sharks need that right D. They need that solidifying presence and I think Beer Huff has all the tools to be able to be that. At number three, we have a bit of a surprise here with the St. Louis Blues selecting in this spot. I don’t see this staying forever, but that’s why I like doing these mock drafts early on because it’s super fun to see these teams that you would not expect drafting in the top three like the Blues to be at third overall. But with that said, I do think the Blues ultimately will select out of Sweden Ivar Stenberg. Now, the Blues have had a kind of up and down relationship when it comes to the Swedish prospects they’ve drafted because they’ve drafted quite a few Swedish wings over the years, but none of them have been all too successful yet. But at the end of the day, I think the Blues just have too much of a player here, too much of a fit in Stenberg to shy away from him. Sure, he’s not the biggest player in the world, but I love how detailed his game is. And I also just think he’s going to be a natural scorer at the NHL level. He just has so many great finishing instincts. And you see in the SHL this year, 10 points, eight assists in 15 games. Pretty incredible numbers. And yes, he’s a super old prospect for this class, but I think he’s doing everything you’d want at the SHL level. And honestly, a bit more. And that comfortability is starting to go quite a ways too as the season goes on. I just think the natural tools are just too good. The possession numbers he could put up, the goal scoring that he has potentially in the NHL. It would just be too perfect on that top six. At number four, we go into a pretty similar situation here with the Minnesota Wild coming at this spot. And I predicted the Wild to miss the playoffs. Maybe not be this bad though. It’s been pretty rough going up there in many, but I think this range would be a pretty good draft selection for the Wild to have because they have never really drafted around this range, at least for a long time. But in the end, I think they will go for a very interesting talent here in Titan Lawrence out of the USHL. And my goodness, I think if the Wild were able to get Lawrence at number four, I think that would be an absolutely brilliant talent to add on to that organization. For one, he is super young for this draft class, but one of the best natural centers in my opinion. He’s not the biggest in the world, but he’s very strong at 185 lbs at 6 feet. He is just somebody that I’m a huge fan of the game he plays. If you’re looking for detail, if you’re looking for possession, if you’re looking for efforts in all three zones, I think Lawrence just gives you that every single game. He was great in the USL last year, getting 54 points in 56 games and being a monster in the playoffs. He started off injured to start out this year, but has a point per game so far, two points through two. I just think in terms of the projection, in terms of how smart he is, how collected he is, how mature he is, no matter the situation, no matter the chaos around him, I think he just fits very well as a really, really good second line center in the NHL. And considering Minnesota’s kind of fluctuating center situation, I think Lawrence could be a pretty interesting ad. Though, I could see them maybe going for a left wing like Belchett if they were to go in a different direction. Speaking of which, let’s go on to the Boston Bruins at fifth overall. and they went for a big-time center getting James Higgins in the last draft, but I think they’re going to go for a big big time wing in Ethan Belchettz out of the OHL. I will say this though, I think Belch has been quite a bit better than I was expecting heading into the year. Starting the year, I was much more of a rubric guy compared to Belchett, but that has completely shifted since the start of the season. You see, in 15 OHL games, 12 goals, 19 points so far. He’s really commanded the ice though and has taken that goal scoring to a much bigger level. not necessarily finishing on every play, but just finding himself in the right spots, getting to those spots a little bit easier, making sure he’s smarter with his positioning and just kind of making the game easier for everybody around him. He’s play driving a bit more. He’s being more assertive, and that’s really what I wanted to see out of it because the skill set and what he can do in those one-on-one situations is insane for his size. Now, much less of a project in my opinion. We go on to sixth overall and the Nashville Predators. And I think they’ll go for a defenseman this time. And look on the right side with Chase Reed out of the OHL. Somebody that does not get enough uh name recognition to start out this season because I think he is one of the best defenseman in this class right now. To me, he’s the second best defenseman in this class besides Katon Barhof. And even though I think the gap is pretty major, I think Reed is just a very special, very calculated defenseman. For one, his size is pretty good big too. 6’2, 185 pounds, skates very well, but he’s just such a great passer. He has such a heads up play game. He always is looking to make the possessive play out of the zone, get the puck into the hands of his forwards, and just make life easier for everybody. It’s actually incredible how fast he is with his decision-making, and I think that is what I think helps his projection the most. Plus, the offense ain’t too bad either. Hovering around a point per game in the OHL these last couple years on a decent but not fantastic Sue team, but Rita has just been a driver of play in a lot of ways and especially against the rush defensively has a lot of potential. starting to use that body a lot more and I think could become a really fascinating two-way D in that system. Moving on to seventh overall in the Vancouver Conucks. This is the position where I think Ryan Rubric will end up here. Now, they do list him as a center here in Elite Prospects. He he hasn’t played center in a long time. I think he’s taken like one face off so far this year. So, he’s a leftwing at least for the foreseeable future. But, I think for Vancouver, they’re going to see the size. They’re going to see the net front ability and also some of the good goal scoring that Rubric can provide. And I think just be very interested in that type of project. I think the production we saw last year in Niagara was a bit inflated for the talent of a player there is here. He’s gone a little bit more back down to earth this season going back down to a point per game in the OL, but still I think the habits are solid. I think the the positioning is good in the goal scoring department. On to number eight in the New York Rangers. This is another team that I thought would have been a bit higher. Hopefully not in the bottom 10 of the standings, but here we are. If the Rangers are still in this position by the end of the season, I don’t think they should be worrying about position. even that they might want to go for a center, they should just go for best player available. But somebody that I think is kind of a mix and also fits their system is defenseman Carson Carrolls. Someone who’s a bit similar to Chase Reed, who maybe has a bit less of an offensive floor, but defensively I think is just rock solid with the size, 6′ 2, 194 lbs. Not the biggest guy in the world, but he uses every single inch to his advantage. So far in 12 WHL games, too, three goals, eight assists for 11 points ain’t too bad for more of a defensive defenseman, but his edge work is so good. He’s somebody that is also just very refined in his decision-m. Doesn’t make any mistakes whatsoever. Doesn’t keep the puck for too long. He’s just very simple defenseman, but honestly, I don’t think that’s much of a problem. He just projects very well as a a left-handed middle pair defenseman to me. Maybe not much more than that, but I think you’re getting somebody that can log a ton of minutes long term. On to number nine. And another team that should probably not be this low when it’s all said and done, but here is where we have the Tampa Bay Lightning. And if the Lighting somehow are in the bottom 10, thankfully their pick would be protected for them. But at number nine, if they were to take a swing, might as well go for Matthysse Preston and get some real excitement in that system. Now that I’m thinking about it with Tampa Bay and the link there, he’s pretty similar to Braden Point and the play that both of those guys have. He’s just such a great dual threat creator and threads the needle so consistently with his offense. Sure, hasn’t scored a ton this year, but Spokane’s also not a great team offensively. has 11 points and six goals through 13 games. What’s best about him is his positioning. How exceptional he is at getting to those spots. How good he is at carving through lanes and sneaking past defenseman. Kind of being that cheeky little goal scorer that you don’t notice until he flies by and scores right on you. On to number 10 and the New York Islanders. This is a team that could go all over the place, but I decided to go for a bit of an offthe-board swing here with Yu-Ho Pipper and out of the Liga and kind of like a similar situation to Chase Reed, a defenseman that I think should be pretty high up that doesn’t quite get the attention that I think he deserves. It seems like this class either skews super old or super young. And Pipper Ryan is on the super young side of things, but a right shot 6’1 201b D who’s already gotten a ton of games in Liga this season, getting two assists in 14 games. But I don’t think the offense is what you’re coming to Pipper Ridyen for. Similar to a Carol’s where I think the defensive game is what’s best about him. But he is just so mature already for something that is super young for this class already playing in La Liga. There’s a big reason for that. He is just a standout defensively. He wins his minutes. He maximizes the defensive game so well to really not make it much of an issue. You don’t really notice how good Pipper Ryan is until you really get into the details. And those are honestly some of my favorite defensive defenseman. But for a defense that has a lot of electricity coming up and of course Matthew Schaefer already, but Kashan Ages, you’re also going to have a big one in Jesse Pulkinan coming up. I think they might want some more stability. They might just want some more stay-at-home dependable presences. I think Piper Ryan is good while not sacrificing the puck moving ability. He can still hold his own there. And I think that’s an important piece of the future of defensive D. On to 11th. Overall, we go on to the Buffalo Sabres here. They’re a team that has drafted a ton over the last few years and have pretty high up spots. So, I think in ways we’re just trying to go a little bit outside of the box and try to find some hidden gems and outside the top 10. That’s about the range where you start looking for that. But something that I think has really impressed me this season that I think also kind of goes under the radar is Swedish forward Elton Hermanson who in terms of the goal scoring I think is one of the more projectable ones of this class. At 6’1, 181 lbs. If I had to make kind of a comparable to a recent prospect, somebody like Justin Carbono kind of makes a bit of sense to me in terms of having more of a a physical presence in their goal scoring. something that just likes to will his way to the net. Hermanson has a great shot though and is just really good at finding those lanes, those open spots to maximize his goal scoring. You can see also in the Vinscan a really hard lead to score and he’s got four goals, three assists, seven points in eight games. Hovering around in a point per game in the Vinscan is incredibly hard to do as a draft eligible. Yet Herman Manson’s making it look relatively easy. Now on to what would be the 12th overall pick in the Ottawa Senators and uh the NHL forfeited their pick. You can blame the NHL if you want. Please go ahead. But let’s load right back up into some intrigue here because at number 13, we have the Chicago Blackhawks, but not for the reason you think because instead of this being Chicago’s pick, this actually comes from the Florida Panthers firstrounder, which they got in the Spencer Knight deal, which looking pretty good for Chicago, eh? Especially if this were to hold, though, I don’t really see that being the case, but still, it’s a fun alternative to explore. And if this were the case, I think they will end up going for a big swing here on the left side of the defense with Xavier Villanuv. And you know what? I I think Chicago’s in a position in their rebuild where they can afford to go for some swings and try to hit some home runs. They already have a lot of that core locked in. And I think Bill would be an exceptional home run to try to swing for, especially with Cortinsky looking up and down in terms of his future in Chicago. Why not go for another electric offensive defenseman to try to make it work? In VNOV’s case, I mean, the Lane Hudson comparables are there for a reason. The electricity, the dangles, the high-end upside. It is ridiculous what Vanu can be capable of. Even though there is going to be some issues defensively, he’s just such a rock star that honestly, I think around this range, I don’t really care about it that much, especially outside the top 10, might as well go for a player that brings so much skill to the table. And if you’re able to find a role for him in the NHL, if you’re able to shelter him pretty well, I think he could be a pretty special player. Maybe not quite Lane Hudson level, but not extremely far off. At number 14, San Jose also gets a pick here inside the top 15 from another team, getting it from the Edmonton Oilers. Another one that I don’t see sticking, but would be a ton of fun because I think at this spot they would end up going for Ryan Lynn. Another right defenseman added into the system, which is a big source of need for San Jose longterm. Getting Keen Verhof and Ryan Lynn in the top 15. That would be fascinating. I do think Glenn will drop just a little bit because I think outside of the point totals, his refinement isn’t quite there. At least compared to some of the other WHL defenseman, but I do think he’ll still be drafted around this range. You see him 15 WHL games, 20 points, 17 assists. He’s just very good at scanning the zone, especially in the offensive end and just making plays happen quickly and that adds to a lot of points in the junior level. We’ll see how much Lynn’s physicality is able to develop because that’s kind of my biggest question mark about him and some of his adaptability on defense is a bit of a question mark. But I think in terms of the talent, it’s a worthy bet for San Jose to make around this range and especially with Vhoff maybe playing more of that shut down role in ways. I think Glenn has the freedom maybe to make those more offensive plays in the end. At number 15, we go on to the Columbus Blue Jackets who typically have gone for more safe players in the past and that’s kind of been the trajectory of the last few years of their drafting. But still, I think they might go for a bit of a higherend player here in JP Herlbert’s. I mean, they went after Jackson Smith in the first round last year. That’s a very electric player when he has at his best. Herbert is pretty similar. He is a dangler. He’s looking to be on the ESPN highlight reels. He’s looking to make the next greatest play in hockey. And even though sometimes it might not work, you’ve seen the WHL this season. He’s a two-point per game player. 28 points in 14 games. Has been one of the most successful drafties in this entire class so far. and deserves his flowers for that. We’ll see how much that is able to translate over the course of the season, but I think just his finishing ability, how good he’s able to put himself in those offensive positions. He just thinks the rush very well, too. And I think that’s aided to a lot of success in the WHL level. He’s a big boomer bust guy though, obviously. But for Columbus, they’re again another team that is just like, “Hey, we got a 15th overall pick. We might as well try to make a splash here.” Finishing us off at the 16th overall pick, this is where I have the LA Kings, and I think they’ll end up selecting center Jack Hexl. Now, on takethon, they have the Kings as the 16th placement on the draft lottery order, even though they have more points than the Ducks, but I guess it’s about regulation wins. And of course, the Kings haven’t been very good in regulation for the most part. But going off what the Kings typically like to draft, I think Hexl is a good balance between a pretty safe floor, but a pretty interesting ceiling. He’s someone that I think is pretty underrated in this draft, but hovers around the 15 range in terms of the consensus. And in the USL this year, even though he hasn’t been putting up massive numbers or anything, he has six goals, five assists, 11 points in 13 games for Youngstown, I just think how translatable his skill set is, how smart he thinks the game, how quick his decision-m is. He’s just a very well-rounded center already. And I think especially for the Kings, they’ll look at that type of project and want to bring him on to the prospect pool. Especially for a pool that doesn’t have a ton of really good center options coming up and of course Anza Copitar’s retirement looming, I could see them really want to target a center in this spot. I think Hexall is one of the best available here. But those are my early predictions for the 2026 NHL draft. Still, of course, a long way to go. But I just wanted to talk about what the NHL draft could look like, which players could get picked if the draft were to happen today. But thank you guys so much for tuning in. If you enjoyed, hit that like button, hit that subscribe button, hit the notification bell. Comment down below your thoughts on my top 16 picks and what you agree, what you disagree with, and if your team is in this range, who do you want to see them pick in this draft? Let me know your thoughts down below on all that. And of course, you’re all the hockey fans you guys know online to get the prospect talk to them, plus the highlights and all that. And of course, click on this card for all my 2026 draft content right in one playlist. I’ll see you guys in the next one, though. Have a fantastic cocky day and goodbye. [Music]

► Hello guys and welcome back! Today we’re going through and simulating the TOP 16 PICKS in the 2026 NHL Draft, to see where the top 2026 prospects could end up!

So if the 2026 NHL Entry Draft were to happen today, which NHL teams would be picking high? And which NHL prospects might they choose? Let’s find out!
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER, NEW VIDEOS EVERY WEEK! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPLyt0s7Y4fhEkVyAvY2bNQ/join
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
MAJOR shoutout to the editor of today’s video! @LuigiCapYT
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Binge watch my videos with these playlists!

► Latest NHL Trade Rumors! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6i7Jz60mQyQf_075qEzTyRKwPmxhh_f
► Latest NHL Rankings! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6i7Jz60mQyenKQ_eZfLEE8eTnBp4nx6
► Latest Hockey Prospects Talk! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM6i7Jz60mQwF9jSaXssKI1IBDtQpcWQH
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Subscribe and join the Grav Gang! https://www.youtube.com/@GravitehHockey?sub_confirmation=1
► Follow me on social media: https://linktr.ee/graviteh
► Business email: nathanmurds@gmail.com
► Join the Graviteh Discord: https://discord.gg/2rJJMGsePc
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Special shoutout to the Grav Members!
GOAT TIER:
► Daniel solito
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
STUD TIER:
► Rob Monkey
► Marvin TheMartian
► Nicolas Lefebvre
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Supporter Tier:
►Tyler Sees
► Mr. Hockey
► Nathan peebin
► eLiaminator
► EmulBegel
► Luca
► Derek Harper
► Beitel Jakobsen
► Darien Erfle
► Burned Retinas
► Sash
► Ryan Sartalis
► john castiglione
► Noah Caplan
► Andreas Lindberg
► Dean
► Aidan Delaney
► Fleecegerald
► Michael C
► laurent simard
► Nigel Drake
► thomas wolff
► Real Or Fake?
► KJL77
► Jack zaroogian
► Mike Pizzimenti
► brendan nelson
► CbTheNicest
► j57
► GaryB 87
► RyanM
► Derek Berry
► Jay Falardeau
► PlatinumRankings
► Aaron Miller
► Jordan Sailer
► Pantry_
► ESREAL ._.
► P. Gabriel
► Alex Leblanc
► Camm Jordd
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
#nhl #hockey #nhldraft #nhlnews #nhlnewstoday #nhlprospects #nhlmockdraft #flames #sharks #mnwild
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
2026 NHL Mock Draft Picks | 2026 NHL Mock Draft Simulation | Tankathon NHL Mock Draft | 2026 NHL Draft | 2026 NHL Draft Prospects | 2026 NHL Draft Rankings | 2026 NHL Mock Draft | 2026 NHL Draft Highlights | Gavin McKenna Highlights | Keaton Verhoeff Highlights | Viggo Bjorck | Ethan Belchitz | Ryan Roobroeck | Ivar Stenberg | Ryan Lin | Mathis Preston | Lars Steiner | Olivers Murnieks | Lucas Zajic | Adam Novotny | Mikey Berchild | JP Hurlbert | 2025 NHL News | NHL News Today 2025 | NHL Trade Rumors Today 2025 | 2025 NHL Game Highlights | NHL Free Agency 2025 | Latest NHL Trade News 2025 | IIHF Hockey Canada News | Anaheim Ducks News | Boston Bruins News | Buffalo Sabres News | Calgary Flames News | Carolina Hurricanes News | Colorado Avalanche News | Columbus Blue Jackets News | Chicago Blackhawks News | Dallas Stars News | Detroit Red Wings News | Edmonton Oilers News | Florida Panthers News | Los Angeles Kings News | Minnesota Wild News | Montreal Canadiens News | Habs News | New Jersey Devils News | New York Rangers News | New York Islanders News | Ottawa Senators News | Philadelphia Flyers News | Pittsburgh Penguins News | Tampa Bay Lightning News | Toronto Maple Leafs News | Utah Hockey Club News | Vancouver Canucks News | Vegas Golden Knights News | Washington Capitals | Winnipeg Jets News | NHL Talk 2025 | NHL Breaking News 2025