2026 NHL Mock Draft: Who Will Be Drafted in First Round?

After the Hockey Gods favoured the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second time in 10 years and shunned the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames for the umpteenth time, we can move on. 

Easier said than done for the aforementioned Western Canadian franchises. Let’s get into which players are the most likely to be selected in the top 16 at the 2026 NHL draft, taking place on June 26 and 27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. 

NHL Mock Draft 2026

1. Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State – NCAA (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Gavin McKenna is going to Toronto. While we’ll have to wait for confirmation, the distinction of being the best offensive player in the draft class almost assures his selection at No. 1.

But how will the Maple Leafs’ draft lottery win impact Auston Matthews’ future? 

2. Ivar Stenberg, LW, Forlunda – SHL (San Jose Sharks)

While the San Jose Sharks are already stacked with young offensive talent, Ivar Stenberg’s ceiling is too high to turn a blind eye to. 

He’s the best all-around forward in the draft class, and that will be too appealing for general manager Mike Grier and Co. to pass up. And drafting him will eventually improve their Stanley Cup odds at the BetMGM sportsbook. 

3. Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs – OHL (Vancouver Canucks)

Who should the Vancouver Canucks pick in the first round of the NHL draft? While selecting a defenceman makes a lot of sense, I’m pivoting to centre Caleb Malhotra, who raised eyebrows with his spectacular play in the OHL playoffs.

The fact that his dad, Manny, is the new head coach of the Canucks tips the scales.

4. Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota – NCAA (Chicago Blackhawks)

Keaton Verhoeff is among the top three defencemen in this draft, but it’s anyone’s guess who will be selected first. 

Verhoeff stepped up to the college ranks earlier than most, and some think it was a mistake. I’m of the opposite opinion, believing he’ll be NHL-ready sooner. It also showed courage, which should bode well for his draft stock. 

5. Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – OHL (New York Rangers)

Chase Reid is arguably above Keaton Verhoeff in the pecking order. Reid could be selected as high as No. 2 if the San Jose Sharks prioritize a positional fit. 

That said, I’m expecting the Blueshirts to call his name at No. 5. 

6. Carson Carels, D, Prince George – WHL (Calgary Flames)

When discussing who the Flames should pick in the first round of the NHL draft, it’s important to take general manager Craig Conroy’s words at face value. He said they’d pick the best player available, not worrying about the best positional fit.  

It feels like salt-of-the-earth Carson Carels, a cowboy through and through, is the perfect fit. 

7. Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert – WHL (Seattle Kraken)

The Seattle Kraken need forwards, but Daxon Rudolph will present an opportunity too good to pass up. He’s being compared to Drew Doughty, and Rudolph could be a top-four defenceman in the near future.

8. Viggo Björck, C, Djurgardens – SHL (Winnipeg Jets)

The Winnipeg Jets are in desperate need of more depth down the middle, preferably someone who will be good enough to centre their second line. 

With that in mind, Viggo Björck is who the Jets should pick in the first round of the NHL draft.  

9. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor – OHL (Ottawa Senators)

Ethan Belchetz is tailor-suited for the New Jersey Devils. He’s a 6-foot-5 winger who would perfectly complement diminutive stars Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. 

As you’d imagine, Belchetz is keen on spending a ton of time in front of the net and screens goalies better than most. I analyzed Belchetz in more detail in my piece about who the Senators should pick in the first round of the NHL draft. 

10. Alberts Šmits, D, München – DEL (Nashville Predators)

Alberts Šmits is an imposing 6-foot-3 blueliner who is mature beyond his years. As an 18-year-old, he impressed for Latvia during the 2026 Winter Olympics, averaging 18 minutes, 44 seconds of ice time. 

He was the youngest player at the tournament and will be an asset to any team. He’s also more NHL-ready than most. 

11. Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University – NCAA (St. Louis Blues)

Tynan Lawrence’s inconsistency with Boston University last season has dropped his draft stock. It’s the only reason he won’t be selected in the top 10, and the St. Louis Blues will be more willing to take a risk as they have three first-round picks. 

The ceiling is also high for the two-way centre. 

12. Wyatt Cullen, LW, University of Minnesota – NCAA (New Jersey Devils)

Wyatt Cullen is the son of three-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Cullen, and he’s capable of being a steady top-six forward. 

The younger Cullen was one of Team USA’s best players at the World Under-18 Championship, notching nine points in five games. 

13. Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit – OHL (New York Islanders)

Nikita Klepov probably won’t impact proceedings in 2026-27, but he should be an instrumental player for the future. 

He’s a crafty offensive player who led the OHL in scoring, but his defensive capabilities are, at least at the moment, questionable.

14. Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver Giants – WHL (Columbus Blue Jackets)

The Columbus Blue Jackets could use another potentially top-tier defenceman, and the Vancouver Giants’ Ryan Lin fits the bill. 

While only 5-foot-11, Lin plays aggressively and is a dynamic skater with a high hockey IQ.

15. Xavier Villeneuve, D, Blainville-Boisbriand – QMJHL (St. Louis Blues)

Xavier Villeneuve has been hindered by injuries this year, but he’s touted as a likely top 20 pick. 

After selecting a centre (Tynan Lawrence) with the No. 11 pick, the St. Louis Blues will want to balance the books by drafting a skilled defenceman who can move the puck and could be a future quarterback for the power play. 

16. Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College – NCAA (Washington Capitals)

Another big, strong forward to accompany Tom Wilson could provide the dream scenario for the Washington Capitals. Oscar Hemming might be picked sooner, but I like his fit with the Caps. 

17. Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara – Liiga (Los Angeles Kings)

Oliver Suvanto has an excellent chance of becoming a top-six centre in the NHL. He’s solid defensively and excellent on the boards in the offensive zone. Being a power forward will facilitate a relatively seamless transition into the NHL. 

18. Malte Gustafsson, D, HV71 – SHL (Washington Capitals)

The Capitals will be lucky if Malte Gustafsson remains on the board at No. 18. Gustafsson has all the makings of a top-four defenceman, blessed with size (6-foot-4), sound skating for a big man, and the ability to carry the puck seamlessly.

The Blue Jackets might snap up Gustafsson at No. 14 if they decide he’s the better option. 

19. Elton Hermansson, RW, MoDo – SHL (Utah Mammoth)

Elton Hermansson has the size and skill to make an indelible impression on the NHL, and with the Utah Mammoth. He has a high ceiling and is one of the more skilled forwards among those in the middle tier of the first-round prospects. 

The 18-year-old is also defensively conscious, which will appeal to head coach André Tourigny. 

20. Tommy Bleyl, D, Moncton – QMJHL (Buffalo Sabres)

The undersized Tommy Bleyl should develop into an excellent power-play quarterback. 

The 18-year-old scored 81 points for Moncton last season, thanks in part to his elite skating ability. 

21. JP Hurlbert, RW, Kamloops – WHL (Philadelphia Flyers)

Ranked 12th among the North American skaters, JP Hurlbert finished fourth in WHL scoring with 97 points (42 goals, 26 assists) in 68 games for the Kamloops Blazers.

He’s excellent on the power play and has a high hockey IQ, known for his ability to make quick, one-touch passes. Hurlbert is a work in progress away from the puck, but that facet will improve with time. 

22. Adam Novotny, RW, Peterborough – OHL (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Adam Novotny is a shooter first, which will suit the Pittsburgh Penguins. He scored 34 goals in his rookie OHL season, thanks to his top-tier skating ability and an impressive aptitude to read the play. 

23. Alexander Command, C, Orebro – Sweden U-20 (Boston Bruins)

Alexander Command is a smart, reliable presence in the middle of the ice. He won’t dazzle or excite, but he’s a sturdy player who rarely commits a mistake. He’ll be an excellent bottom-six centre who can be tossed on the ice in any situation. 

24. Mathis Preston, RW, Vancouver – WHL (Vancouver Canucks)

Initially, I had Liam Ruck going to Vancouver with the 24th pick, but I’ve since pivoted to Mathis Preston. The Canucks have reportedly been hanging around the WHL’s Giants, keeping an eye on Preston. 

Preston has overcome some injury concerns, and he’s from nearby Penticton, B.C. He also plays a high-octane brand of hockey that will endear him to Canucks fans.

25. William Håkansson, D, Luleå Hockey – SHL (Ottawa Senators)

William Håkansson is the 12th-ranked international skater, and he’s touted as one of the best shutdown blueliners in the draft. 

The left-shot blueliner is 6-foot-4, and despite being just 18 years old, he played most of the 2025-26 season at the professional level in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). 

26. Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa – OHL (New York Rangers)

A big, proficient two-way centre who fits perfectly into the New York Rangers’ draft profile, Brooks Rogowski works tirelessly at both ends. And he’s a towering 6-foot-7. 

Rogowski played well as a fourth-line role player for Team USA at the Under-18 Men’s World Championship, and he has an excellent shot. 

27. Jack Hextall, C, Youngstown – USHL (San Jose Sharks)

A versatile centre who has an excellent shot and is a smart setup man, Jack Hextall would provide the Sharks with a strong support prospect down the middle of the ice.

28. Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec – QMJHL (Montreal Canadiens)

The 6-foot-4 centre has the size and physical prowess to adapt well to life in the NHL. His skating needs some work, but Maddox Dagenais has all the makings of an excellent two-way centre. 

The towering centre is also a strong possession-based player. 

29. Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat – WHL (St. Louis Blues)

There are few better goal-scorers in this draft than Liam Ruck. The 18-year-old was tied for second with 45 goals, and he has one of the best shots in the draft. 

Ruck also loves mucking it up in the high-traffic areas, which should increase his draft stock. He’d like to play with his twin brother, Markus, who led the WHL in scoring. That scenario is easier said than done.

30. Marcus Nordmark, LW, Djurgården – SHL (Calgary Flames)

As I have the Flames taking a defenceman with their No. 6 pick, I’m going with a highly skilled forward for the 30th pick. Marcus Nordmark isn’t the most consistent of the potential first-round picks, but he has a high ceiling. And he is a creative player, which the Flames need more of. 

31. Casey Mutryn, RW, Boston College – NCAA (Carolina Hurricanes)

Casey Murtyn works relentlessly in the attacking zone, and he’s the type of forward who would fit in well with the Hurricanes’ system. 

Murtyn will likely be a middle-tier player, fitting into the third line in the future. But he’ll almost assuredly be a reliable pro. 

32. Niklas Aaram-Olsen, LW, Örebro – SHL (Ottawa Senators)

Niklas Aaram-Olsen impressed at the combine, and he’s a forward who skates well. He might fall into the second round, but his shooting ability makes me think the Senators’ll draft him at No. 32.