The countdown is on for the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, where the fate of the No. 1 overall pick will be decided in a thrilling live ball-drawing event. Hockey fans, get ready to tune in Tuesday night as the league unveils which team will land the top selection in June's draft—a moment that always brings high drama and excitement.

This year's projected top prize is forward Gavin McKenna from Penn State. While his college stats might not jump off the page, McKenna's elite puck-handling skills and raw talent make him the clear frontrunner for the No. 1 spot. Winning the lottery means landing a player with game-changing potential—a true game-changer for any franchise.

The Vancouver Canucks enter the lottery with the best odds of securing that coveted first pick, but remember: teams can only jump up 10 spots, so some contenders won't be able to claim the top spot no matter what. It's a system designed to keep the suspense alive until the very last ball is drawn.

The draft itself is set for Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, in Buffalo—a prime weekend for hockey fans to start dreaming about their team's future. The lottery broadcast kicks off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN app, live from the NHL Network studio in New Jersey.

Whether you're hoping your team moves up or just love the spectacle, this is the night that sets the stage for the next generation of NHL stars. Stay tuned for the full top-16 order and the winner of the lottery—it's going to be a night to remember.