Full Breakdown
2026 NHL Draft: Prospects, Team Plans, and the Road to Buffalo
6/25/2026, 12:27:07 AM
Draft Overview
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft occurs June 26-27 at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. Round 1 begins Friday at 5 p.m. MT; rounds 2-7 follow Saturday at 9 a.m. MT. Central Scouting lists Gavin McKenna as the top North-American skater and Ivar Stenberg as the top international skater. Mock drafts and insiders expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to take McKenna first overall, though recent trades, such as Florida’s acquisition of Brady Tkachuk, have shifted Ottawa’s No. 9 and No. 25 picks.
Top Prospects
Consensus places McKenna, Stenberg, Chase Reid, Caleb Malhotra, Keaton Verhoeff and Carson Carels in the top six. McKenna’s second-half NCAA surge produced 33 points in 19 games; Stenberg excelled in the SHL and World Juniors. Wyatt Cullen, Ethan Belchetz and Viggo Björck are noted as surprise steals, and a cluster of right-shot defensemen suggests a defensive run after the third pick.
Team Plans and Pick Positions
Utah Mammoth, with the 19th pick, calls its scouting staff “an engine” and sticks to its approach despite lacking a top-10 slot. Tampa Bay Lightning hold seven picks (58th, 90th, three in the 130s, 186th, 218th) and will likely trade one. Colorado Avalanche, without a first-round pick, will select 74th and may use later picks as trade assets. Philadelphia Flyers, at 21st, stress a long-term rebuild. San Jose Sharks, holding No. 2, are projected to take Stenberg but also consider left-handed defenseman Carson Carels. Ottawa, after the Tkachuk trade, owns three first-round picks.
Scouting Insights
Central Scouting guides evaluations, yet comparing players across leagues, ages and international events is difficult. Utah’s scouting director Darryl Plandowski, now in his sixth draft with the Mammoth, brings a Stanley-Cup-winning background from Tampa Bay. Analysts expect a defensive run after the fourth pick, while a shortage of elite centers may boost wingers and defensemen.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics note Carson Carels’ left-handed shot and consistency concerns for the Sharks. Wyatt Cullen’s creativity is praised, but some doubt a top-10 finish. Mathis Preston’s knee injury and uneven play raise questions about his immediate impact. The No. 2 pick remains disputed, with mock drafts alternating between Stenberg and Reid.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This feels mostly like a foregone conclusion,” — Corey Pronman, The Athletic
- “They are an engine,” — Bill Armstrong, Utah Mammoth GM
- “I think they’ve been spoiled picking in the top-10 every single year,” — Bill Armstrong, Utah GM
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Mock drafts disagree on the No. 2 pick, alternating between Stenberg and Reid. The Avalanche’s prospect depth is described as weak, yet no specific projections exist. Ottawa’s three first-round picks remain an untested asset.
What’s Next
Live coverage starts Friday on NHL Network and ESPN+. Teams will finalize first-round trades, and post-draft analysis will assess how the defensive run and surprise picks reshape rosters.
