Top 16 NHL 2026 Mock Draft

With the 2026 National Hockey League (NHL) draft lottery in the rear view mirror, there is clarity regarding the upcoming draft, as the first 16 picks are official.

A draft class that has no shortage of talent, including a lot of defensemen projected to be drafted in the top-10, alongside incredible high-end offensive talent such as Gavin McKenna.

With that said, I made a list of how I predict the draft will play out in June.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs - Gavin McKenna, LW, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Penn St. (NCAA) 

After a disappointing season, that had both the Leafs organization and their fans worried about potentially losing their first-round pick, the entirety of Leafs Nation was overjoyed to see the Leafs successfully win the lottery. McKenna has incredible offensive upside and will become an immediate fan favourite, with superstar potential once he adapts to the NHL level.

Despite the Leafs need for a young, skilled defenseman, it would be foolish to pass on a talent with as much potential as McKenna. The Canadian winger would likely slot in on Auston Matthews' wing, brining a offensive skillset that the team failed to fill after Mitch Marner was traded to the Golden Knights.

McKenna is someone I feel has been in the spotlight for many years, making Toronto a market that he could handle while making an offensive impact almost immediately.

2. San Jose Sharks - Chase Reid, RD, 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) 

The San Jose Sharks continue to build a young team filled with astonishing talent, and this summer, they will look to add their final piece of the puzzle. With names such as Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, and Yaroslav Askarov, the only missing element of this incredibly talented young core is a defenseman.

Chase Reid is a fluid skater with a list of offensive weapons and will be the perfect talent to quarterback the Sharks' power play for the foreseeable future. Although he may not be considered the best available player at second overall, I think the right-shot defenseman is likely to land in San Jose.

3. Vancouver Canucks - Ivar Stenberg, LW, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Frolunda (SHL)

Although both the Canucks organization and fanbase were disappointed not to see the ball drop in their favour for the first overall pick, I do believe they will be very content with Ivan Stenberg, who I expect will be available at third overall.

Stenberg has put up historic numbers in the SHL and was the standout player at the 2026 World Juniors. In my opinion, Stenberg will have the easiest transition to the NHL and will be an incredible talent for years to come.

Stenberg will be a skilled winger who is tough to play against, and will either help Elias Pettersson find his game or be the key piece of an entire rebuild for the organization.

4. Chicago Blackhawks Keaton Verhoeff, RD, 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, North Dakota (NCAA)

The Chicago Blackhawks are in need of a lot of support around Bedard, and unfortunately, I doubt Stenberg will fall to fourth overall. With that said, I think Verhoeff is an incredibly well rounded defensemen, and his size sets him apart from other defensemen in this class.

Although talks surrounding Verhoeff have slowed, and many are concerned about his skating ability, I do believe he has high upside and can be a defensemen who plays heavy minutes for the Blackhawks as the team grows.

5. New York Rangers - Caleb Malhotra, C, 6-foot-2, 182 pounds, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

One name that has received a lot more attention as of late is Caleb Malhotra, who is certainly the best center in this draft. The Rangers have an aging core, particularly down the middle with Zibanejad, Miller and Trochek. I could see the Rangers moving on from either Zibanejad or Trochek, allowing for Malhotra to potentially play with Gabe Perreault.

I believe Malhotra can be a franchise centerman, and with Adam Fox likely remaining a Ranger, I think the Rangers should take the versatile center to grow as a key piece on the Rangers.

6. Calgary Flames - Carson Carels, LD, 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

In my eyes, Carson Carles and Zayne Parekh seem like a perfect top-pairing for the Calgary Flames. Although I could see them drafting a forward, I believe Carles is too talented to remain on the board for long and will certainly fit well with the Flames' roster.

Not to mention, the Western Canadian has made it very clear that he hopes to play for a Canadian team, as it is his mission to bring a cup to Canada.

7. Seattle Kraken - Daxon Rudolph, RD, 6-foot-2, 206 pounds, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

With four top-10 picks in the franchise's short history, the Kraken have selected Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Berkly Catton and Jake O’Brien. The similarity between all these picks is that they are all forwards. That said, I do believe the Kraken will either take Rudolph or Šmits. In my opinion, both are similar players, and will both be great options for the Kraken.

8. Winnipeg Jets - Alberts Šmits, LD, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Munchen (DEL)

With an aging defensive core, Šmits fills a need on the back end, as the Jets have essentially no one with high offensive upside after Josh Morrissey. Šmits is certainly more pro-ready than other defenders in this draft class, with great size and already a lot of experience against pros.

9. Florida Panthers - Tynan Lawrence, C, 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Boston University (NCAA)

Lawrence is a two-way centre who, although he hasn't had the best season, seems like an appealing pick at the number nine spot. I think it would be beneficial for the Panthers to continue their strategy of drafting and developing two-way centers with offensive upside and strong defensive awareness.

10. Viggo Bjorck, C, 5-foot-9, 177 pounds, Djurgardens (SHL)

Although slightly undersized, Björck most likely has the highest upside compared to the remaining forwards. Nashville has done a great job drafting and is currently in need of a center more than a winger.

11. St. Louis Blues - Oscar Hemming, LW, 6-foot-4, 193 pounds, Boston College (NCAA)

Despite missing half the season, the 6'4 left winger has left a strong impression, and has shown that he has a lot more to unlock offensively.

12. New Jersey Devils - Ethan Belchetz, LW, 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Belchetz has great size and skill and will add some size to the New Jersey Devils' forward pool. Belchetz missed the end of the OHL season and the playoffs, but his size and toughness can be a great complementary piece to a team that lacks size but has high-end skill.

13. New York Islanders - Wyatt Cullen, LW, 6-foot-0, 174 pounds, U.S. NTDP (USHL)

Cullen, Belchetz, and Hemming are three players with many similarities, which is why I would not be surprised if they go earlier or later than I have predicted, but I do see them being drafted around the 12-16 range.

Cullen has a lot of offensive potential, but plays with intensity and uses his size well.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - Adam Novotny, LW, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Peterborough Petes

I think Novotny is an underrated name in this draft class, and although there are a few defensmen projected to fall to the Blue Jackets, I do believe they are better suited to drafting a winger, as that is a major weakness in their current prospect pool.

Novotny has a great shot with a lot of offensive upside, while also being very dependable defensively.

15. St. Louis Blues (via Detroit) Malte Gustafsson, LHD, 6-foot-4, 201 pounds, HV71 (SHL)

I simply cannot see Gustafsson falling too far in this draft, given how appealing his combination of size and two-way value is, and he's the best available after the names likely to be drafted early.

16. Washington Capitals - Ilia Morozov, C, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Miami (NCAA)

This pick is fairly simple. The Capitals love drafting for size, and Morozov can become a future middle-six centerman.

A few other names I would not be surprised to see are J.P. Hurlbert, Adam Novotny and Oliver Suvanto.