The 2026 NHL Draft order is officially set, and hockey fans are already buzzing about the top prospects heading to Buffalo on June 26. With the draft lottery complete, we now know which teams will be making the first 10 selections—and the biggest surprise of all? The Toronto Maple Leafs won the lottery and will pick first overall.
All eyes are on Gavin McKenna, the Penn State standout and generational talent who is expected to step right into the NHL next season. The Maple Leafs are projected to select McKenna, giving them a dynamic forward who could make an immediate impact on their top line. It's a franchise-altering moment for Toronto, and one that will shape the team's future for years to come.
The San Jose Sharks landed the second pick, followed by the Vancouver Canucks at third. The Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers round out the top five, setting the stage for a draft class that could reshape several rosters. With the draft order locked in, we've mocked the first 10 picks based on team needs, prospect pipelines, and the strengths of this year's class.
Pick 1: Toronto Maple Leafs – Gavin McKenna (F, Penn State)
The Leafs get their franchise forward. McKenna has the speed, vision, and finish to jump straight into the NHL and become an immediate contributor.
Pick 2: San Jose Sharks – James Hagens (F, Boston College)
Hagens is a dynamic playmaker who could anchor the Sharks' top line for the next decade. His hockey IQ and passing ability are elite.
Pick 3: Vancouver Canucks – Michael Misa (F, Saginaw Spirit)
Misa brings a scoring touch and two-way game that fits perfectly with Vancouver's young core. He could develop into a top-six forward with time.
Pick 4: Chicago Blackhawks – Porter Martone (F, Peterborough Petes)
Chicago adds another elite forward to their pipeline. Martone is a power forward with a scoring touch who could complement Connor Bedard beautifully.
Pick 5: New York Rangers – Matthew Schaefer (D, Erie Otters)
The Rangers need defensive depth, and Schaefer is the best blueliner in the class. He's a smooth-skating, two-way defenseman with top-pairing potential.
Pick 6: Nashville Predators – John Smits (D, Oshawa Generals)
Nashville has long needed a highly-ranked defenseman in their system. Smits is a big, physical presence who can move the puck and develop into a reliable top-four option.
Pick 7: Florida Panthers – Cole Lawrence (F, University of Michigan)
Lawrence is a possible top-six center who might stay in college for another season before turning pro. His size and skill make him a great fit for Florida's system.
Pick 8: Winnipeg Jets – Ethan Belchetz (F, Windsor Spitfires)
The Jets need more offensive pop on the wings, and Belchetz brings exactly that. A Canadian talent staying home to play for a Canadian team adds a nice story, too.
Pick 9: Seattle Kraken – Arjun Malhotra (F, Harvard University)
Seattle gets a possible top-six center who could stabilize their middle of the lineup. Malhotra is arguably the best center available at this spot, and the Kraken won't pass him up.
Pick 10: Calgary Flames – Lukas Rudolph (D, Kelowna Rockets)
The Flames take advantage of a deep defensive class by selecting Rudolph, a Canadian national who stays in his home country. He has the tools to develop into a sharp starting defenseman for Calgary.
As we count down to draft day in Buffalo, these first 10 picks could set the tone for an exciting new wave of NHL talent. Whether you're following your team's rebuild or just love the draft, 2026 is shaping up to be a year to remember.