After all the hype, all prospect reports, all the mock drafts and all the trades, the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo arrived Friday night. 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 the past couple of years, no true consensus emerged. The left winger moved to the NCAA this season to challenge himself after 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.

But 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 the SHL, looked great at the World Junior Championship and impressed at the 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 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 offense and consistently competing for scoring titles. 

2. San Jose Sharks

Ivar Stenberg

Position: LD | 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 lethal playmaking and passing through tight seams. 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 center who makes incredibly smart decisions with the puck and possesses significant power-forward potential. He projects as a top-six NHL center who can anchor penalty kills, dominate faceoffs, and drive 5v5 scoring. He also happens 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 Raiders (WHL) | Height: 6’2.5″ | Weight: 206 lbs

Owns a highly projectable frame combined, a natural offensive flair and poise at the offensive blue line. He projects as a versatile top-four NHLer with the tools to be a primary or secondary 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 thanks to excellent physical reach. He projects as a top-four defenceman with offensive upside who can excel in all situations and anchor a defensive unit.

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

Things were interupted by the Commissioner 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 and elite rush defence capabilities. He projects as a rock-solid, minute-munching top-four defender who excels at suppressing scoring chances and 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 is an elite puck-moving defenceman who plays with immense confidence, dynamic transitional speed and strong offensive instincts. He projects as a top-pairing NHL defenceman 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 highly deceptive wrist 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 massive frame to dominate opponents while flashing surprisingly refined passing ability in the offensive zone. He projects as a punishing, shutdown top-four defenceman who will make life miserable for opposing forwards while 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. The son of Stanley Cup champ Matt Cullen has explosive skating and puck-handling skills, and he’s shot up draft rankings. He projects as an elite, 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 flawlessly 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 applies relentless physical pressure 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 highly reliable, minute-munching top-four NHL defender who can seamlessly transition the puck and insulate his teammates with his 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

Feature image courtesy AP Photo/Adrian Kraus vis Canadian Press Images