The 2026 NHL Mock Draft is today, and in all honesty, it’s a very underwhelming draft. The prospect talent isn’t up to snuff as some previous years, but there is some potential stars in the making.
Teams have been trading for picks like wildfire the last couple of days, and this raises the question: Who are they drafting? Or who do they not want to draft?
Before I begin, I just want to say that this Mock Draft is based on my own opinions and team needs. Sometimes I will value a player much higher than where I mock them, and I make that very evident. I want to make it clear that this is my own opinion based on watching 100+ players extensively over the last couple of weeks. Either way, on to the Mock Draft!
1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW
The Maple Leafs basically get their Mitch Marner replacement with Gavin. Gavin is the most skilled forward in this class, and it ultimately feels like a no-brainer here at the first overall pick. Chayka has been surprising all of us with his eagerness to make moves, so I believe he makes the right choice here.
2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW
This choice has changed basically 4 times since I wrote my original draft, but here we go. The Sharks go with the best player on the board here with Stenberg after trading away William Eklund for the 9th Overall Pick. He can stand neck and neck with McKenna and could become a cornerstone on that Sharks offence for years to come. To put his dominance into perspective, Stenberg had an incredible season in the SHL, putting up 33 points in 43 games and 4 points in 6 playoff games. He is the best possible pick here.
3. Vancouver Canucks: Chase Reid, RHD
After dropping down to third overall after a disappointing lottery result, the Canucks still end up with a complete stud for their defensive core in Chase Reid. He is the #1 in this class, and his blend of puck-moving skills, along with high-end vision and incredible mobility, will be a treat on that Vancouver blueline for years to come. Maholtra does seem like the obvious choice here, given their coach, but I feel like they will go a different route.
4. Buffalo Sabres (via Chicago Blackhawks): Caleb Maholtra, C
Alrighty. After a beyond crazy trade, Buffalo, if they keep this pick, would go with stud centre Caleb Maholtra. Buffalo doesn’t really need much after having an incredibly successful season, so there is a deep possibility this pick can get dealt even after I write this and publish this on draft day. Maholtra is an incredible centre in a very weak class, and Buffalo can afford to wait on his development until he becomes a true leader for the Sabres in the future. Maholtra possesses a great set of size, skill and defensive habits that will translate well into the NHL, and I adore him as a prospect.
5. New York Rangers: Alberts Smits, LHD
The Rangers' left side of defense is effectively weak, and they need a much-needed boost. Alberts Smits seemingly can be that boost. They have showed a deep interest in the prospect over the days and I can understand why. Smits is one of the most NHL-ready defenseman in this class and can be ready very quick. He is great defensively and has good size at 6’3, but his passing and decision-making are incredibly speculative. If he fixes that, however, I could see him carving out a good career as a top 2 defenseman.
6. Calgary Flames: Carson Carels, LHD
To keep this blunt, the Flames need everything. Originally I had them taking a centre but with their prospect pool lacking some high-end defensive prospects. Carels makes sense here. Carels can provide this boost with his high-end skill and elite flashes, making him look like a true #1 defenseman. He is elite defensively and physically, and is developing nicely offensively, which can make him a triple threat out there. If he can perfect his offensive skills and play driving, he will be a home run pick for the Flames here.
7. Seattle Kraken: Keaton Verhoeff, RHD
Seattle has way too many middle-six forwards, so a good defensive prospect seems like a great fit for them. Verhoeff should be good and has all the tools to succeed, but just hasn’t. He has been exposed at every level of play defensively, but has shown flashes that make me believe that he could be the #1 defenseman in this class. You could very well argue this is the biggest boom-or-bust pick, and honestly, I could agree to some degree. His combination of size and skill is immaculate, but the lights always seem way too bright for him in moments when he is needed.
8. Winnipeg Jets: Viggo Björck, C
To put this out here right now, after watching over 100 prospects, the Hockey IQ I have witnessed from Viggo is potentially the best in the class. He is just an incredibly intelligent player with an elite work rate and the experience of leading and playing against some of the hardest competition for his age. Winnipeg in this situation gets a player that I believe should’ve went Top 5, but that’s the luck of the draft sometimes.
9. San Jose Sharks (via Ottawa Senators): Daxon Rudolph, RHD
At this point, the defensive prospects hit a very clear dropoff, but the Sharks are almost 100% going defence here if they take Stenberg. Daxon is a great defender with the potential to be a stable presence on the right side of the Sharks' defence, but his overall defensive consistency raises some issues. Still, he is incredible offensively with some immaculate offensive instincts, which can be captivating for a team like the San Jose Sharks, who have been hunting a power-play defenseman for years.
10. Nashville Predators: Ethan Belchetz, LW
Power Forward translation into the NHL is always incredibly different than most. Belchetz looks to be on the path to the better half with his elite size and hockey sense. He is a very capable net-front presence and can play physically while still providing some offence. My biggest concern is consistency; if he can find it, he will become one of the most complete power forwards in the NHL.
11. St Louis Blues: Malte Gustafsson, LHD
One of the biggest risers in this year’s draft, Malte Gustafsson, is a very complete defensiveman, and I adore his defensive game. His high level of play will translate well, and I can see real success for him. I could see him very well going top-8, but as a late riser, he currently ranks this way.
12. New Jersey Devils: Wyatt Cullen, LW
One of the best players in transition, Wyatt Cullen is an immaculate play driver with elite playmaking skills. He has risen up boards immaculately, and with his overall skating and burst speed also being eye-catching, I can see a team like the Devils taking a chance to bolster their offence.
13. New York Islanders: Ryan Lin, RHD
The New York Islanders have one of the best young defenseman ever, but how about getting someone for the other side? Ryan Lin is an incredible puck-moving defenseman who gets overshadowed by the absolute density of elite defensive prospects in this class. Building a 1-2 punch with him and Schaefer could be ideal.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Oscar Hemming, LW
The youngest player in college could be a great developmental piece for the Blue Jackets, who aren’t shy about drafting players with size and skill, similar to Hemming. He is very raw, needing to develop his skating and offensive tools, but he has plenty of time to do so in college.
15. St. Louis Blues (via Detroit Red Wings): Adam Novotny, LW
Novotny is a great two-way winger who has the motor and drive to excel in the NHL. I am incredibly high on him and believe that he can succeed on a team like the Blues, which needs high-motor power forwards to assist them. He could show more offence, which will be the determining factor in whether he will excel.
16. St Louis Blues (via Washington Capitals): Alexander Command, C
The Blues, being increasingly greedy, also now have the chance to draft one of the best centres in this class, which is Command. Command is a decent two-way centre with a strong net-front presence. He is incredibly good at the faceoff circle, too, which is a massive plus to have this early on in your career.
17. LA Kings - Nikita Klepov, LW
The leading scorer in the OHL is at 17th, which is kind of weird, but he is still an immaculate player. His issues stem from his defensive play and physical skills, which can draw some coaches away from him, even though his offensive skills are elite. He will need to work on this to gain trust, but the potential is right there.
18. Washington Capitals (via Anaheim Ducks): Maddox Dagenais, C
Maddox is an interesting prospect who I believe could be moulded into an elite power forward capable of being a driving force down the middle. The issue is the could part, as he hasn’t shown incredible offensive instinct and issues processing the game. I feel like he can reach this, but only time will tell.
19. Utah Mammoth: Tynan Lawrence, C
Before this year, Tynan Lawrence was seen as a top-5 prospect, but he looked awful at basically every level of hockey. This would automatically make you a middle-round draft pick, but your defensive toolkit is immaculate. The offensive skills have just been incredibly lackluster. If a team can unlock the offensive toolkit, you have an elite forward, but if you can’t, you might not even have a third liner.
20. Buffalo Sabres (via San Jose Sharks): Elton Hermansson
Hermansson is an offensive threat with great passing and shooting skills that can translate well into the NHL. The raw talent is something you bet on, and I feel like the Sabres could definitely take the chance here that the skills continue to develop.
21. Philadelphia Flyers: Oliver Suvanto, C
Suvanto has one of the highest floors among the draft prospects in this class. I think a team like Philadelphia, which lacks some centre depth, would be a nice, safe option. He plays an incredibly gritty game and is very physical around the boards and the net front, which could translate well into the Flyers’ culture.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Xavier Villeneuve, LHD
Not to overreact here, but man, I love Xavier Villenueve. He has the highest ceiling in this draft class, completely, but is under 6 feet. NHL GMs need to realize that this kinda of talented defenseman almost always translates well if the skills are there to match up. For the people who actually read this far, I would draft him in the top 8, but I am not a GM. Still, his offensive ability and ability to create space should make him a high-level prospect.
23. Boston Bruins: Ilia Morozov, C
Morozov is a big-body centre with some of the best defensive instincts in this entire class. His offensive upside is very low, but his very low floor can make him plug-and-play on an NHL third line almost immediately. He feels and seems like a player the Boston Bruins would enjoy picking.
24. Vancouver Canucks (via Minnesota Wild): Liam Ruck, RW
The first Ruck brother goes, and I think it’s pretty poetic that the Canucks draft him. He is an incredibly skilled forward after putting up 104 points in the WHL, and I feel like the Canucks will be targeting both of them. Liam is an incredibly versatile shooter that can be an interesting pick for the Canucks, and I honestly hope they take him and his brother, too.
25. Ottawa Senators (via Florida Panthers): Gleb Pugachyov, RW
The Senators pick up this pick from the Brady Tkachuk trade, and I feel like the perfect Tkachuk replacement is another Brady Tkachuk. I’m joking. Gleb is not Brady at all, but I felt like it was a funny sentence to say. He is incredibly physical and has above-average skating skills, which can translate well into a power-forward role. He just needs to work on his offensive skills, and he will become a great top-6 player.
26. New York Rangers(via Carolina Hurricanes): Mathis Preston, LW
Preston is a great skater and shooter, and in situations, he can use these skills to set himself up for scoring chances. His issues stem from transition play and building up the offence himself. This makes him somewhat one-dimensional offensively, but his elite skills above should not be overlooked, and I believe he should become a great power-play threat in the future.
27. San Jose Sharks (via Buffalo Sabres): Maksim Sokolovskii, LHD
The Sharks could double up on defence and get a towering force in Maksim. He is by no means an offensive threat, but he is incredible defensively. He is also just 6’8”, which would make any coach’s eyes pop out of their head. He is also a good skater, which helps his case of being a good defenseman at this height. I like his size, and I think he can be a great shutdown defenseman.
28. Montreal Canadiens: J.P. Hurlbert, LW
The Montreal Canadiens prospect pool doesn’t need much at this moment, but adding Michigan’s J.P. Hurlbert can provide a boost to their offensive pool. He is an incredibly good player who can compete at a high level, with strong Hockey IQ and offensive skills. He lacks a physical and defensive game, which limits his potential, but he can become a truly offensive dynamo for a team.
29. St Louis Blues (via New York Islanders): Marcus Nordmark, LW
The Blues have 4 picks and can take a player with all the skills in the world, but just lacks the intensity and drive needed to translate to the NHL. He plays a slow-paced game, which can affect his speed and skating skills. The offensive tools in total, however, are ELITE. I love this swing for the Blues if they do.
30. Calgary Flames (via Vegas Golden Knights): Jaxon Cover, LW
The Cayman Islands’ own is a very raw prospect. He has a great motor and a good goal-scoring touch that allows him to generate offence and play proper defence at a high level. He has questionable decision-making, but if he can fix these issues, he can be an elite forward.
31. Carolina Hurricanes: Tommy Bleyl, RHD
Like Villeneuve, he is a great offensive generator who can command the blue line and play an aggressive game. He can generate space and has elite edgework. His big issue is his overall defensive limitations. This, along with his size, obviously raises issues, but the offensive skills cannot be overlooked. He will be just fine.
32. Ottawa Senators: Yegor Shilov, C
To end off the first round, Yegor Shilov is here. He has some of the best skills in the draft and is an incredibly complete offensive player. He just lacks the pace to keep up with the skill that is needed for the NHL. Still, if he can fix his skating, he will be a great offensive contributor.
In The End*
The NHL Draft will almost never go this way since I am not in an NHL front office, but this is what I think. Teams will get their future cornerstones or draft the next big bust. This day will mostly be dominated by trades if the last couple of days are any reflection of what is going on. Either way, we won’t know anything until tonight and hopefully teams will make the best decisions.
Thank you so much for reading!