The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery gave the Toronto Maple Leafs the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft. The last time the Maple Leafs held the top pick, they selected Auston Matthews — and that decision has worked out pretty well for Toronto.
The Maple Leafs didn’t have the best odds to land the No. 1 selection, and the San Jose Sharks were long shots to secure the No. 2 pick, but both outcomes happened. Now the top prospects in hockey can begin figuring out where they may play next season.
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That includes Penn State star Gavin McKenna, who became one of the highest-rated Canadian prospects ever to play college hockey.McKenna is considered the favorite to go No. 1 to Toronto, but after that?
Well, it’s mock draft season.
2026 NHL Mock Draft
The order for the first 16 picks are set after the lottery. Here’s the first mock draft of 2026.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State Hockey
The timing of losing Mitchell Marner a year ago but getting a player that has some rhymes with Marner’s game would be an interesting scenario. I don’t think it is out of the question for the Leafs to at least consider a defenseman in this range, but the best player available happens to be a playmaking winger who can help make others around him better and also not have to be THE GUY in Toronto for a few more years.
2. San Jose Sharks: Chase Reid, D, Soo Greyhounds
The Sharks have only good options here and while Ivar Stenberg is a strong one, the opportunity to add another cornerstone to their defense is an opportunity San Jose shouldn’t pass up. On my upcoming NHL Draft list, Reid is No. 2 and I think he plays a style that fits almost perfectly with the direction San Jose is heading in. He’s mobile, he moves pucks and he can score from the back end. I think he’s a slight improvement in terms of his overall upside on Sam Dickinson, but any team would be thrilled to have both of them.
3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs
This may be too sentimental a pick, but it’s not just because Malhotra grew up idolizing the Canucks of his father Manny’s era. The Canucks as a team lack culture, Malhotra could be one phase of bringing in a culture-building player who also happens to be one of the fastest rising prospects in this draft class. He’s a complete center who can do a little bit of everything, including score.
This would be almost too easy for Chicago, which has very few needs based on their prospect depth for years to come. A highly-skilled winger who can help drive play and make things happen offensively would be a nice add for Chicago. Stenberg is a little redundant in terms of Chicago’s overall needs, but I think his talent is too hard to pass up at this stage if he’s there. Also, with Chicago’s prospect depth, they could always consider getting some more immediate help via trade if there are teams out there with enough of a desire to get this pick.
5. New York Rangers: Keaton Verhoeff, D, University of North Dakota
The Rangers have needs everywhere, but I think they could potentially add a long-term cog for their blue line. I have soured a little on Verhoeff as the season has progressed, but he is still a 6-foot-4, 200-plus pound defenseman with good athletic tools, an ability to create offense and is still growing into his big frame and finding his way physically. He’s a unique player.
6. Calgary Flames: Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars
Calgary I think would love to see a player like Malhotra or Stenberg fall, but I don’t think they’re going to be that lucky at this stage. Which allows them to focus on an area of need in their system. Carels would be a spectacular two-way addition to a blue line that features the offensive-minded Zayne Parekh. Nabbing a good Western Canadians with a mature and improving game would be a nice add for the Flames at this stage.
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7. Seattle Kraken: Alberts Šmits, D, Jukurit
The Kraken need to figure out how to score, but I don’t think they’re in a range where they’re going to find short-term scoring help. They have a significant long-term need on their blue line. I think either Daxon Rudolph or Šmits is a great fit here. Šmits is a bit more pro-ready with size, athleticism and a mature game that allows him to play comfortably with pros right now. I think he’d be a nice add to their long-term blue line.
8. Winnipeg Jets: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders
Winnipeg can make a nice splash with a Western Canadian offensively-gifted defenseman in Rudolph. They made a huge splash with Josh Morrissey years ago and I think could do the same with Rudolph, who I have felt at times has been undervalued this year. He’s a really unique fit.
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9. Florida Panthers: Viggo Björck, C, Djurgårdens IF
The Panthers can make the most of a bad season by landing a player that might be among the best talents in this draft, he’s just smaller than the rest. Björck is going to find a way to play in the NHL. He’s highly-intelligent, competitive and would be insulated by a veteran group in Florida for years to come. I think they’re a team well-equipped to take the bet on the smaller, skilled offensive player.
10. Nashville Predators: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
The Preds have been doing a decent job at the draft in recent years. They could land a center here who has fallen down boards a bit, but has some serious upside if he can get back to his game and find some consistency. Lawrence had a weird draft year, but he’s a two-way center who competes well and has shown over the years that there’s some scoring talent there.
11. St. Louis Blues: Wyatt Cullen, LW, U.S. National Team Development Program
One of the fastest rising prospects in this draft, St. Louis could add a player with NHL bloodlines and dynamic offensive talent. That’s a nice combo. Cullen has been on a rapid rise all season and could be a strong, exciting bet for the Blues in this range.
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12. New Jersey Devils: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires
An injury ended Belchetz’s season early, but there aren’t many 6-foot-5 players with his skill level. When he brings the passion and toughness to the table, he is a handful for any defender. I think he’s only scratching the surface of what he can be, but there’s still some concern about his overall hockey sense. Put a scorer like him in New Jersey’s mix, though, and that could make for a scary proposition.
I really loved the Islanders’ draft last year. They have their franchise cornerstone in Matthew Schaefer and have some more exciting prospects on the way. Suvanto is not what I would term an exciting prospect, but I think he’s a player that is going to play for years in the NHL with strong two-way skills. He’s so hard to play against and is already big and strong. I think he could be a key cog down the middle for NYI in the near future.
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The Blue Jackets have plenty of things they could search for, but I think a big, mobile defenseman with good two-way skills and plenty of upside would go a long way in their system. They’ve had a few misses in recent drafts and I think Gustafsson is a big of a safe pick right outside the range of the truly elite players in this class.
15. STL – St. Louis Blues: Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough Petes
The more I watch Novotny, the more I think he just looks like a Blue. He is a gritty two-way guy, with scoring potential and he plays the game with a lot of joy, too. He’s a mature, strong player who probably doesn’t have an especially long NHL timeline. The only thing I’d be concerned about is his overall upside.
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16. Washington Capitals: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo Hockey
The Caps have been an exceptional drafting team over the years, especially in the mid ranges and on Day 2. I think Hermansson has a number of warts in his game, but he may be one of the most skilled players still on the board. The Caps have bet on some skill of late and I think Gustafsson would be another guy to attempt that with.
The 2026 NHL Draft Order
Who Are The Top 2026 NHL Draft Prospects?
Here are the top 2026 NHL Draft Prospects according to NHL.com:
North American Skaters
Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (BIG10)
Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCHC)
Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)
Chase Reid, D, Sault St. Marie (OHL)
Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)
International Skaters
Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (SWE)
Alberts Smits, D, Munchen (GER)
Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (FIN)
Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo (SWE)
Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgarden (SWE)
North American Goalies
Brady Knowling, G, USA U-18 (NTDP-USHL)
Michal Orsulak, G, Prince Albert (WHL)
Tobias Trejbal, G, Youngstown (USHL)
International Goalies
Dmitri Borichev, G, Loko-76 Yaroslavl (RUS-Jr.)
Yegor Rybkin, G, Nizhny Novgorod Jr. (RUS-Jr.)
Douglas Nilsson, G, Farjestad Jr. (SWE-Jr.)
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When Is The NHL Draft?
The NHL Draft will take place on June 26- 27 in Buffalo, New York at KeyBank Center. It’s the 64th NHL Draft.
2025-2026 NHL Final StandingsEastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Detroit Red Wings — 41-31-10, 92 pts (eliminated)
Florida Panthers — 40-38-4, 84 pts (eliminated)
Toronto Maple Leafs — 32-36-14, 78 pts (eliminated)
Metropolitan Division
Washington Capitals — 43-30-9, 95 pts (eliminated)
Columbus Blue Jackets — 40-30-12, 92 pts (eliminated)
New York Islanders — 43-34-5, 91 pts (eliminated)
New Jersey Devils — 42-37-3, 87 pts (eliminated)
New York Rangers — 34-39-9, 77 pts (eliminated)
Western Conference
Central Division
St. Louis Blues — 37-33-12, 86 pts (eliminated)
Nashville Predators — 38-34-10, 86 pts (eliminated)
Winnipeg Jets — 35-35-12, 82 pts (eliminated)
Chicago Blackhawks — 29-39-14, 72 pts (eliminated)
Pacific Division
San Jose Sharks — 39-35-8, 86 pts (eliminated)
Seattle Kraken — 34-37-11, 79 pts (eliminated)
Calgary Flames — 34-39-9, 77 pts (eliminated)
Vancouver Canucks — 25-49-8, 58 pts (eliminated)
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