After all the hype, all prospect reports, all the mock drafts and all the trades, the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo arrived Friday night. Leafs super fan Justin Bieber kicked things off with commissioner Gary Bettman to introduce Penn State winger Gavin McKenna as the No. 1-overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Despite McKenna being the presumed top pick for years heading into the season, no true consensus emerged. The left winger moved to the NCAA this season tafter dominating the WHL for two years. But his perceived defensive liabilities and lack of physical play, coupled with a slow start in college had the doubters doubting.

Things changed after averaging two points per game at the World Junior Championship and having a huge second half at Penn State, McKenna solidified himself as the top pick. His skill and offensive hockey sense were just too hard to ignore; he’s the only prospect NHL scouts said could score 100 points, some even compare his game Nikita Kucherov’s.

Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg proved himself against men in Sweden, looked great at the World Junior Championship and impressed at the men’s World Championship. He’s considered the most NHL-ready player in the draft and will step right into a top-six role for San Jose.

Defenceman Chase Reid of the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds moved into the top spot on some scouting reports during the season. His explosive skating, ability to break down the opposition with a single outlet pass, walk the line and run a power play were too much to ignore. He led (I thought) a strong cadre of D-men expected to dominate the Top 10.

Among centres, Brantford’s Caleb Malhotra shot up boards as well. He’s a 200-foot player who can score and defend. He and Sweden’s skilled energy bunny Viggo Björck were the consensus top players at the most important position outside the blue ice.

How it all was going to play out after the first two picks was a mystery. (Hint: It didn’t go as planned, including nine trades!) Here’s every pick of the 2026 NHL Draft’s first round.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

Gavin McKenna

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: Penn State (NCAA) | Height: 5’11” | Weight: 170 lbs

McKenna is a transcendent offensive talent whose spatial awareness, elite hockey sense and sublime passing make him a lethal playmaker. He projects as a franchise-altering, top-line winger capable of driving an NHL offence and consistently competing for scoring titles. 

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Penn State3515-36-5136-7
Canada U20 74-10-1414+7

2. San Jose Sharks

Ivar Stenberg

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: Frölunda (SHL) | Height: 5’11″ | Weight: 183 lbs

Played against men all season showing a near-flawless, highly intelligent two-way game paired with top playmaking and hockey sense. With a remarkably high floor, he projects as a reliable, foundational top-six winger who can drive possession and contribute in all situations.

TEAM GPG-A-PPIM+/-
Frölunda 4311-22-336+10
Sweden U20 74-6-106+5
Sweden WC84-4-860

3. Vancouver Canucks

Caleb Malhotra

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Brantford (OHL) | Height: 6’1.75″ | Weight: 182 lbs

A complete, 200-foot centre who makes smart decisions with the puck and has significant power-forward potential. He projects as a top-six NHL pivot who can anchor a penalty-killing unit, dominate faceoffs and drive 5v5 scoring. He also just happens to be the coach’s son.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Brantford 6729-55-8451+33

4. Buffalo Sabres

Daxon Rudolph

Position: RD | 2025-26 Team: Prince Albert (WHL) | Height: 6’2.5″ | Weight: 206 lbs

Owns a highly projectable frame combined with a natural offensive flair and poise on the blue line. He projects as a versatile top-four NHL defender with the tools to be a power-play contributor.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Prince Albert 6828-50-7875+32

5. New York Rangers

Alberts Smits

Position: LD | 2025-26 Team: EHC München (DEL) | Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 205 lbs

Smits is a mobile, towering blueliner who played well against men all season. He projects as a top-four defenceman with offensive upside who can excel in all situations and anchor a D-corps.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Jukurit 386-7-1320-3
EHC München 50-1-120
Latvia U20 51-4-52-6
Latvia OG40-2-22-2
Latvia WC80-4-40+1

The proceedings were interrupted by the Commish to announce two trades.

6. Calgary Flames

Carson Carels

Position: LD | 2025-26 Team: Prince George (WHL) | Height: 6’1.75″ | Weight: 198 lbs

Blends a rugged, heavy-lifting defensive mentality with impressive offensive upside. He projects as a rock-solid, minute-munching top-four defender who excels at suppressing scoring chances while playing a physically demanding style.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Prince George 5820-53-7366+23
Canada U2050-1-12+3

7. Seattle Kraken

Chase Reid

Position: RD | 2025-26 Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) | Height: 6’2.5″ | Weight: 196 lbs

Reid’s an elite puck-moving defenceman who plays with confidence, dynamic transitional speed and strong offensive instincts. He projects as a top-pairing NHLer capable of quarterbacking a power play while taking on heavy two-way minutes.

TEAM GPG-A-PPIM+/-
Soo Greyhounds 4518-30-4830+27
USA U20 52-2-440

8. Winnipeg Jets

Viggo Björck

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Djurgårdens (SHL) | Height: 5’9″ | Weight: 177 lbs

Despite lacking traditional size, Björck is a fearless competitor with a relentless motor and a deceptive shot. He projects as a tenacious, middle-six offensive catalyst with second-line upside who will consistently outwork larger opponents to generate scoring chances.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Djurgårdens 426-9-1512+5
Sweden U20 73-6-92+5
Sweden (WC)81-5-62+2

9. San Jose Sharks

Keaton Verhoeff

Position: RD | 2025-26 Team: North Dakota (NCAA) | Height: 6’3.75″ | Weight: 212 lbs

A towering physical presence, Verhoeff uses his frame to dominate opponents while flashing surprisingly refined passing ability in the offensive zone. He projects as a punishing, shutdown guy who will make life miserable for opposing forwards and can start a breakout.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
North Dakota 366-14-2029+7
Canada U1850-4-42+7
Canada U20 50-4-40+4

10. Nashville Predators

Wyatt Cullen

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: U.S. NTDP | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 180 lbs

Cullen has grown eight inches and put on 60 pounds in two years, shooting up the draft rankings. The son of Stanley Cup champ Matt Cullen, he has explosive skating and puck-handling skills. He projects as a top-six scoring winger if he refines his defensive consistency.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
U.S. NTDP4016-29-4543+7
USA U1853-6-96+3

11. St. Louis Blues

Tynan Lawrence

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Height: 6’0.5″ | Weight: 185 lbs

Lawrence is an exceptionally smart, high-motor centre who reads open ice well and plays a highly reliable two-way game. He projects as a high-end third-line pivot or complementary top-six forward who thrives in transition and heavy-traffic areas.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Muskegon1310-7-176+5
Boston Univ.182-5-72-1

12. New Jersey Devils

Alexander Command

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Örebro HK (SHL) | Height: 6’0.5″ | Weight: 186 lbs

A competitive, high-motor two-way centre who consistently wins puck battles and is relentless on the forecheck. He projects as a fundamentally sound, versatile middle-six NHL pivot who can comfortably anchor a checking line and provide valuable secondary scoring. Great interview at the NHL Combine.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Örebro U203017-27-4461+10
Örebro HK 60-0-000
Sweden U18 73-4-74+4

13. New York Islanders

Malte Gustafsson

Position: LD | 2025-26 Team: HV71 (SHL) | Height: 6’4.25″ | Weight: 205 lbs

A towering, mobile two-way defenceman who excels at suffocating opposing rushes and dominating physical battles in the defensive zone. He projects as a reliable, minute-munching top-four NHL defender who can seamlessly transition the puck and insulate his teammates with high-end defensive awareness.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
HV71270-3-34-8
Sweden U18 61-4-56+7

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

Oscar Hemming

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: Boston College (NCAA) | Height: 6’3.5″ | Weight: 193 lbs

Hemming combines a pro-ready frame with a heavy, highly accurate shot that makes him a constant scoring threat off the rush. He projects as a goal-scoring, top-six power forward tailored for the modern NHL game.

TEAM GPG-A-PPIM+/-
Boston College191-7-8180

Trade No. 3

15. Anaheim Ducks

Nikita Klepov

Position: RW | 2025-26 Team: Saginaw (OHL) | Height: 6’0″ | Weight: 187 lbs

He’s a crafty offensive winger with excellent hands in tight spaces and high-level playmaking vision. The first rookie to lead the OHL in scoring since Patrick Kane. He projects as a point-producing middle-six forward who can provide a major spark on the man advantage.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Saginaw 6737-60-9743+9

16. St. Louis Blues

Maddox Dagenais

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Quebec (QMJHL) | Height: 6’3.75″ | Weight: 196 lbs

The first QMJHL player selected, Dagenais brings physicality and a long reach to the centre position, thriving in net-front battles and corner puck retrievals. He projects as a prototypical bottom-six power forward who’s difficult to play against.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Quebec 6030-32-62310
Canada U18 51-1-22+5

Trade No. 4

17. Utah Mammoth

Ethan Belchetz

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: Windsor (OHL) | Height: 6’5.25″ | Weight: 228 lbs

A broken collarbone in early March may have cost Belchetz draft spots. But he’s a massive power forward who uses his size to dominate the cycle and crash the crease with ferocity. He projects as a unique, physical top-nine winger who can create space for highly skilled linemates.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Windsor 5734-25-5945+19

18. Washington Capitals

Oliver Suvanto

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Tappara (Liiga) | Height: 6’2.75″ | Weight: 207 lbs

A towering, highly mature two-way centre who excels at puck protection, heavy cycle play and suffocating defensive zone coverage. He projects as a fundamentally reliable, middle-six NHL pivot whose exceptional hockey IQ and physical maturity provide a remarkably safe floor for a competitive team.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Tappara 482-9-1116+3
Finland U20 72-0-202
Finland U18 51-2-32-2

19. Los Angeles Kings

Elton Hermansson

Position: RW | 2025-26 Team: MoDo (HockeyAllsvenskan) | Height: 6’1″ | Weight: 181 lbs

A skilled, dual-threat winger whose exceptional stickhandling, vision, and deceptive release make him dangerous. His two-way consistency is still a work in progress and his playmaking and offensive IQ project him as a middle-six NHL forward.

20. Buffalo Sabres

Ilia Morozov

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Miami Univ. (Ohio) (NCAA) | Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 201 lbs

Morozov is a structurally sound, two-way centre with excellent positional awareness and a heavy physical presence along the boards. He projects as a trusted, defensive-minded third-line pivot who can eat tough defensive zone starts.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Miami 368-12-2027+2

Trade No. 5

21. San Jose Sharks

Ryan Lin

Position: RD | 2025-26 Team: Vancouver (WHL) | Height: 5’11.25″ | Weight: 178 lbs

Lin compensates for his average size with phenomenal edge work, lateral mobility and quick, decisive puck movement out of his own zone. He projects as an agile, transition-focused defenceman with upside as a secondary power-play quarterback.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Vancouver 5314-43-5735-19
Canada U18 51-5-607

22. Pittsburgh Penguins

Liam Ruck

Position: RW | 2025-26 Team: Medicine Hat (WHL) | Height: 5’11.75″ | Weight: 177 lbs

A deceptive offensive winger with quick hands and a natural instinct for capitalizing on defensive breakdowns. He projects as a solid middle-six scorer who can slide up and down a lineup as needed. Where does his twin brother Liam go? Most scouts believe they’re better together.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Medicine Hat 6845-59-10436+47

A sixth trade!

23. Detroit Red Wings

J.P. Hurlbert

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: Kamloops (WHL) | Height: 5’11.75″ | Weight: 183 lbs

The WHL rookie of the year underrated excels at finding trailing teammates and executing complex passing sequences. He projects as a top-nine complementary winger capable of elevating the offensive output of his linemates.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Kamloops 6842-55-9745+13

24. Vancouver Canucks

Adam Novotny

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: Peterborough (OHL) | Height: 6’1.25″ | Weight: 205 lbs

The first Czechia player off the board. Novotny is a pure sniper with a an elite release and a knack for finding quiet ice in the offensive zone to let it rip. He projects as a trigger-man in a middle-six role who can serve as a lethal weapon on the power play.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Peterborough 5834-31-6522-2
Czechia U20 70-3-34-2

25. Ottawa Senators

Jonas Lagerberg Hoen

Position: RW | 2025-26 Team: Leksands (SHL) | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 185 lbs

A highly intriguing, high-volume shooter with an NHL-calibre release, great offensive instincts, and a projectable frame that makes him a true wild card in this draft class. His season was derailed by a torn ACL in October, but his raw scoring tools project him as a potential middle-six, goal-scoring power forward if he can fully recover and refine his 200-foot game.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Leksands IF J2099-7-1633+10
Leksands IF 20-0-000

Trade No. 7!

26. Montreal Canadiens

Gleb Pugachyov

Position: RW | 2025-26 Team: Torpedo Nizhny (KHL) | Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 198 lbs

A highly physical, intimidating power forward who combines a heavy frame with a relentless motor, who made a name for himself by throwing soul-crushing checks. While his offensive toolkit is viewed as a project, his energy, puck protection, and heavy shot project him as an effective, bottom-six NHL winger.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Torpedo Nizhny132-1-38+7
Torpedo (VHL)151-4-5110
Chaika Nizhny (MHL)3310-14-24362

27. Philadelphia Flyers

Maksim Sokolovskii

Position: RD | 2025-26 Team: London (OHL) | Height: 6’7″ | Weight: 238 lbs

A colossus on the blue line whose pure size and immense reach make him a natural defensive deterrent. He projects as a raw, high-upside defensive project whose professional future depends on improving his pivot speed and acceleration.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
London 442-6-849+10

The eighth trade of the night!

28. Anaheim Ducks

Marcus Nordmark

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: Djurgårdens (SHL) | Height: 6’1.5″ | Weight: 180 lbs

Puck skills, playmaking and release make him a threat to score. While scouts note that his inconsistent effort levels and defensive habits make him a polarizing prospect, his top-six offensive tools and ability to dictate the pace of play give him NHL potential.

Team / TournamentGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Djurgårdens J20 2514-24-384824
Djurgårdens 80-1-12-1
Sweden U18 63-1-428+1

29. Vegas Golden Knights

Juho Piiparinen

Position: RD | 2025-26 Team: Tappara (Liiga) | Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 201 lbs

Piiparinen is a smart, physical puck-moving defenceman who plays a calm and collected game in his own zone while consistently limiting puck-handling mistakes. He projects as a steady, reliable NHL defender capable of executing clean transitions and safely anchoring a bottom-pairing or complementary top-four role.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Tappara U20 151-12-136+9
Tappara290-3-38+6
Finland U20 40-0-10+6

30. Calgary Flames

Jack Hextall

Position: C | 2025-26 Team: Youngstown (USHL) | Height: 6’0.5″ | Weight: 188 lbsAn aggressive centre who thrives on agitating opponents and forcing turnovers on the forecheck. He projects as a gritty, high-character bottom-six pivot who excels in a checking capacity.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Youngstown 5920-38-5828+8

Last trade of the night…

31. Nashville Predators

Tommy Bleyl

Position: RD | 2025-26 Team: Moncton (QMJHL) | Height: 5’11” | Weight: 162 lbs

Bleyl is a highly intelligent, offensive-leaning blueliner who consistently joins the rush and acts as a fourth forward in the offensive zone. He projects as a specialized, puck-moving depth D-man whose value is tied heavily to his power-play deployment.

TEAMGPG-A-PPIM+/-
Moncton6313-68-8133+5

32. Ottawa Senators

Jaxon Cover 

Position: LW | 2025-26 Team: London (OHL) | Height: 6’1.5″ | Weight: 183 lbs

Cover is a raw, late-blooming forward who flashes intriguing offensive creativity and a heavy shot, but his overall game remains fairly one-dimensional. He came up playing roller hockey and didn’t play on the ice until he was 13. He’s a project who could become a middle-six scorer.

TeamGPG-A-PPIM+/-
London 6720-32-5230+25

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