The 2026 NHL Draft comes to us from Buffalo on Friday night for one of the biggest nights in hockey. It’s an opportunity for teams to find their stars of the future, and always rewards the organizations who have invested resources into their scouting departments, while identifying the most-talented scouts along the way.
Unlike any other major sport, the NHL Draft boasts selections across five-plus nations, two continents, and trying to mesh all that together with being able to successfully project who can transition to the NHL after playing under different rules. All we know about this draft is that LW Gavin McKenna will likely be the No. 1 overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and from there it could be anarchy.
One thing to watch is how many veteran players could be dealt tonight. Mammoth names like Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski are potentially finding new homes — and that adds a lot of intrigue to a class that is already deep on talent.
We’re following the first round live to grade this year’s picks.
No. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs — Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
Grade: A
The Leafs didn’t overthink this process and got the most dynamic skater in this class. A selfless wing, McKenna has an incredible eye for passing and a gift for setting his teammates up for success. A fluid skater who is light on his feet, McKenna does need to add some muscle to his frame to be more of a force against agressive defenders, and there’s work on the forecheck to be done — but the stage is set for McKenna to be an impact player as soon as he arrives in the NHL.
No. 2: San Jose Sharks — Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC
Grade: A
I had the best player in this draft as a total toss-up between McKenna and Stenberg. An exacting, heady player — Stenberg is an elite skater with a ludicrous change-of-pace and an array of moves on the breakaway. While Stenberg might not have the upside of McKenna, his floor is much, much higher.
Immediately, he will slot in with Macklin Celebrini and really push this team to the next level, but there’s also real potential that Stenberg can develop into a center at the NHL level. If that happens, it really could give San Jose a center pairing like the Oilers have with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
No. 3: Vancouver Canucks — Caleb Malholtra, C, Brantford Bulldogs
Grade: B-
I don’t hate the pick, but this is going to raise so many questions about whether this was a nepo pick. He’s a grinding center who works well in short spaces, very good at getting tip-ins, as well as controlling rebounds. The biggest issue here is that I think Chase Reid is a far superior prospect, and I can’t help but question if the Canucks had the blinders on to lock in the coach’s son. The either locked in too much on getting a center, or locked in too much on Malhotra. I think he’s going to be a very good NHL player, but Reid’s NHL career could come back to haunt them.
No. 4: Buffalo Sabres — Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders
Grade: C
Nah. I don’t like this choice at all. I understand that this was essentially a free pick after the Bowen Byram trade, I understand that Chase Reid’s player comp was too much like Rasmus Dahlin — but I don’t care. Rudolph was a mammoth late-riser in the draft, which scares me. This is less about the player Rudolph is, because it’s going to be a solid offensive defenseman, but the Sabres decided to miss out on some elite, elite talents to roll the dice.
No. 5: New York Rangers — Albert Smits, D, Jukurit
Grade: C-
ANOTHER defensive reach in a row. This was a trait-based pick from a team wanting size and physicality over skill. Smits is a stay-at-home defenseman who won’t add much on offense, doesn’t do anything elite, and the best you can say is that “he’s tough.” They had the best defenseman sitting in their laps, and decided to go in another direction. I just do not understand the decision-making here.
No. 6: Calgary Flames — Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars
Grade: B-
Carels was a player the Flames had targeted this draft, and they got their guy. He’s a good player, he isn’t being taken too high — and that’s more or less where the praise ends. At some point you need to be able to pivot as a front office is there’s just too much value on the board, and Reid was right there for them. It’s clear they invested a lot in scouting Carels, which caused this pick to happen, but again we have a team too locked in on their own decision to see the forest for the trees.
No. 7: Seattle Kraken — Chase Reid, D, Soo Greyhounds
Grade: A+
Easiest pick in this draft, and kudos to the Kraken for taking advantage of the idiots in front of them. Reid is the best defender in this draft by a significant margin, with offensive skills that could make him Cale Makar-esque when he reaches the next level. Reid has shown elite stick skills, a gift for clogging lanes, and a player who can essentially become an extension of the offense when crossing into the zone. This is a franchise moment for the Kraken, and they needed a break. Pinch yourselves, Kraken fans, because this is somehow real.
No. 8: Winnipeg Jets — Viggo Björck, C, Djurgårdens IF
Grade: A
Really, really like this pick for the Jets with what they’re trying to do on offense. Björck is a little honey badger who loves out-working people on the ice and using his high IQ to make big plays around the net. He has the ability to play some pretty hockey, but also an absolute grinder who would have been a Top 3 pick if he was taller and built larger. The Hurricanes and Logan Stankoven showed that the only size that matters is heart, and Björck has that.
No. 9: San Jose Sharks — Keaton Verhoff, D, North Dakota
Grade: A+
I had Verhoff at No. 5 on my big board, so landing him here is stellar work to address the Sharks’ need on defense. At this point he’s ready to step into the NHL right now, or the Sharks could have him return to North Dakota for a season until they feel like the team is more prepared to take advantage of his skills. I really love this fit, along with the offensive talent San Jose has taken recently. Verhoff has a heavy shot that creates rebounds, and could make him a power-play quarterback as well. There’s some work to do on him defensively, but I think the skill is there.
No. 10: Nashville Predators — Wyatt Cullen, C, USNTDP
Grade: B
I like Wyatt Cullen, but there’s a lot of banking on his development and pedigree here. I didn’t have Cullen going this highly in the draft, and at age 17 it’s going to be years before we see this pick come about. The vision is clear that Cullen will be ready to go as the Predators commence a rebuild, which isn’t a bad plan — but I don’t love gambling this much on upside. Cullen could be special with his skating and hockey IQ, or he could flame out.
No. 11: St. Louis Blues — Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
Grade: B+
Really like this pick by the Blues. I had Lawrence going earlier than this, making the pick for serious value. Lawrence is very young, and growing into his frame — but he showed a knack at Boston for weaving through defenders and making great plays on the net. An underrated passer who is still growing into his game, this is a good setup move for the future.
No. 12: New Jersey Devils — Alexander Command, C, Örebro HK U20
Grade: C
This is … a choice. Command is an intriguing player who makes an impact in every zone, but I really dislike the value here. I saw him going much later in the draft, and I think if you wanted an impact center then Mathis Preston or Oliver Suranto were on the board. This is a move that has more of an eye on the future, because we won’t see him for some time.
No. 13: New York Islanders — Malte Gustafsson, C, HV71 U20
Grade: B+
The Islanders are continuing to focus on the defense, and they got a good one here. Gustafsson is extremely tall and gifted at using his stick to clog the lanes and disrupt offense. He won’t bring much to the offensive side, but that’s fine with Matthew Schaefer being on the roster. Gustafsson is ready to come over and play right now, which is the right move where he can season in the NHL and get used to the game.
No. 14: Columbus Blue Jackets — Oscar Hemming, F, Boston College
Grade: B-
A tall, rangy wing that appeals to old-school hockey heads. This is a rare case where I think Hemming might be almost too tall for the NHL at 6-4 on the wing in a league that is embracing his smaller size. If this kid can return to Boston College, add to his frame more, and turn into more of a forechecking expert he can be a really nice piece for them, but I don’t know if Hemming projects to be a Top 6 forward.
No. 15: Anaheim Ducks (via Blues) — Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit
Grade: A
The Ducks decided to move on from Mason McTavish and sent him to the Blues for this pick, which is a choice. Perhaps a change of scenery will be good for him, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Really like this pick for the Ducks. Anaheim has enough offensive talent that they don’t need a guy in the mix immediately, meaning he can head to Michigan State where he’s committed and get some time in the NCAA. Klepov is a really smart skater off the puck with a knack for finding himself in the right place at the right time. I think this could be a very good long-term pick for them.
No. 16: St. Louis Blues — Maddon Dagenais, C, Québec Ramparts
Grade: C
Too early for Dagenais. The Blues seemingly wanted a young guy they could spend a long time developing, but they forced this process a little bit. I like his ability to deliver lightning wristers from the circle, but he’s a little slow-footed around the net. If he can get stick on puck it’s good, but against skilled defensemen I think he’s going to struggle.
No. 17: Utah Mammoth (via Kings) — Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires
Grade: B
The Los Angeles Kings decided to move back in the draft picking up the No. 19 pick, and the No. 83rd pick from Utah for this selection.
Big, powerful forward that likes to set the tone. I had Belchertz going to the Capitals at No. 18, considering how much he plays like Tom Wilson, and that makes the Mammoth trade up above them unsurprising. Really like the potential of this kid to get into the dirty parts of the ice, grind out the puck on the corners, and make plays in the slot with a quick shot. Think this is a really nice piece to their puzzle.
