The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery is almost here, and it's one of the most exciting events on the league's offseason calendar. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 5, when the fate of the top picks in the 2026 NHL Draft will be decided.

Held in the middle of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the NHL Network's studio in Secaucus, New Jersey, this annual event gives non-playoff teams a chance to land a franchise-changing player. The lottery determines the top selections in the draft, including the coveted No. 1 overall pick.

If you're wondering how to catch all the action, you're in luck. The lottery will air nationally on ESPN, and hockey fans can stream it live on fubo or the ESPN app. No cable? No problem—the ESPN app has you covered with access to all your favorite sports shows and live events.

The draft lottery has a history of reshaping franchises. Just last year, the New York Islanders won the lottery and used the No. 1 overall pick to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer, a move that could define their future for years to come.

This year, all eyes are on the Vancouver Canucks, who enter the lottery with the best odds. They have an 18.5 percent chance to win the first draw, but thanks to the NHL's 10-spot move-up limit, their actual odds of landing the top pick are even better at 25.5 percent. The Chicago Blackhawks follow closely with 13.5 percent odds, while the New York Rangers are at 11.5 percent. Other teams near the top of the lottery order include the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs (conditional pick), Seattle Kraken, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers.

The lottery sets the order for the first 16 picks in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. All non-playoff teams—or those that acquired those draft positions through trades—are included in the process. For fans of teams that missed the playoffs, this is the moment when hope for next season begins.

So grab your favorite team's gear, settle in, and get ready for one of the most pivotal nights of the NHL offseason. The future of the league starts here.