2026 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-16

The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is headlined by Penn State left winger Gavin McKenna. Find out who got Gavin McKenna.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 26, 2026.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State
   
   
   Toronto needed to stay in the top 5 to win the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Not only did Toronto stay in the top 5, they won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and will now pick first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. Toronto moved up from 5 to 1 after winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   The 2026 NHL Draft is headlined by Gavin McKenna who has the versatility to play all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. He will probably play left winger on the Toronto Maple Leafs. I got an 2026 NHL Draft Simulator you can check out as well. This is the first mock draft I've posted since prior to the start of this years NHL season.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna was drafted first overall in the 2022 WHL Draft by the Medicine Hat Tigers as Gavin McKenna was the first 14-year-old drafted into the CHL with most players being 16 and some players in the WHL being 15 when they get drafted. Gavin McKenna led the Medicine Hat Tigers to a WHL Championship in his third season in the 2024-2025 WHL Season as the Medicine Hat Tigers were the runner up in the 2025 Memorial Cup after going 3-0 in the round robin before losing the championship to last years runner up the London Knights. Gavin McKenna talked about how the older players on the Medicine Hat Tigers deserved to win the Memorial Cup more than anything, so Gavin McKenna has excellent character and is mature beyond his years. Gavin McKenna is enrolling at Penn State to play college hockey this Fall.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. One thing I wrote in my WHL Draft writeup on McKenna is that he processes the game so fast. That is an understatement as McKenna processes the game at a supersonic rate after seeing him play the last few years with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 155 lb Gavin McKenna had 4 goals, 14 assists, and 18 points in only 16 games in 2022-2023. Gavin McKenna had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 4 games in the 2023 WHL Playoffs. Gavin McKenna had 34 goals, 63 assists, and 97 points in his first full WHL season as a sophomore in 2023-2024. Gavin McKenna had 2 goals, 4 assists, and 6 points in 5 games in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Gavin McKenna had 41 goals, 88 assists, 129 points, and a +60 +/- ratio in his third and final WHL season in 2024-2025. Gavin McKenna had 9 goals, 29 assists, and 38 points in 19 games averaging 2 points per game during the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Gavin McKenna had 15 goals, 36 assists, and 51 points during his freshman season at Penn State getting Penn State to the Regional Semfinals of the 2026 College Hockey Tournament where Penn State lost to Minnesota Duluth in the Round of 16 in 2025-2026.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna is making the transition from the WHL to the NCAA as Gavin McKenna is the first of ten players that played on their teams first line in his plus one draft year with Gavin McKenna having the skill set to translate to a first line player in the NHL. I still believe Gavin McKenna will go first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. That is the type of talent Gavin McKenna is and why he is the top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft with all 15/15 scouting services including us at Draft Utopia having Gavin McKenna as the top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Gavin McKenna will be Toronto's first line left winger. He will be on the same line as first line center Auston Matthews, the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft ten years ago provided that Toronto does not trade Matthews and William Nylander, Toronto's 2014 first round pick whose the first line right winger on Toronto to give Toronto a deadly first line of fowards. Matthew Knies Toronto's 2021 second round pick will be the second line left winger, John Tavares will be the second line center, and Taylor Raddysh will be the second line right winger provided he signs his RFA and comes back. Easton Cowan, Toronto's 2023 first round pick could be the third line left winger, Max Domi could be the third line center, and Nick Robertson, Toronto's 2019 second round pick could be the third line right winger. Dakota Joshua will be Toronto's fourth line left winger, Jacob Quillian Toronto's fourth line center is an RFA, and Steven Lorentz is the fourth line right winger. Michael Pezzetta provides insurance if someone gets injured at left winger.
   
   
   
   Toronto has Morgan Reilly, their 2012 first round pick drafted fifth overall and first on their big board in the 2012 NHL Draft as their number one defenseman with Chris Tanev complimenting him. Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson compliment those two on the second line. Brandon Carlo, who Toronto traded two first round picks to the Boston Bruins in 2025 as well as 2027 thanks to Toronto having a top five protected draft pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with Carlo entering a contract year, and Emil Andrae compliment each other on the third line. Toronto had 9 players injured at the end of the year, and two of those players were defensemen with the other two key players being Auston Matthews and Dakota Joshua.
   
   
   
   Anthony Stolarz took the starting goalie job from Joseph Woll in Toronto, and the former Florida Panthers backup goalie is under contract until 2030. Samuel Ersson is now Toronto's backup goalie with Joseph Woll being traded to Philadelphia. Dennis Hildeby, Toronto's 2022 fourth round pick did so well with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, that he got promoted to backup goalie in the NHL when Stolarz was injured and will now be the backup goalie with Joseph Woll being traded.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Landon Nycz, D, Massachusetts
   
   
2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda Indians (Elitserien)
   
   
   San Jose ended up getting the second pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. San Jose moved up from 9 to 2 following the 2026 NHL Drat Lottery.
   
   
   
   San Jose is reportedly looking at three players with the second pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Those three playrs are Ivar Stenberg the left winger on the Frolunda Indians, Albert Smits a defenseman on Jukurit in Finland, and Carson Carels the defenseman on the Prince George Cougars. Mike Grier said he is taking the best available player at 2 rather than drafting for need. Ivar Stenberg is the one player left in this draft outside of Gavin McKenna that could make the jump to the NHL as early as this season.
   
   
   
   Ivar Stenberg has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ivar Stenberg played 25 SHL games in the league once known as Elitserien with 12 games on the third line, 12 games on the second line, and 1 game on the first line making Ivar Stenberg the first NHL prospect outside of the United States or Canada to play on the first line as a 16-year-old since Aleksander Barkov. He also has the best point per game total among Swedes since Henrik Sedin the former Vancouver Canucks first line left winger with Ivar Stenberg being the third player with first line potential in the NHL.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 181 lb Ivar Stenberg had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 25 SHL games with Frolunda HC in 2024-2025. Ivar Stenberg had 11 goals, 22 assists, and 33 points in 2025-2026. Ivar Stenberg helped Frolunda HC get the 2 seed in the 2026 SHL Playoffs before losing to 7 seed Lulea HF in the opening round in with 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in 6 games.
   
   
   
   San Jose would have Ivar Stenberg, Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith on the first line of their forward group. Igor Chernyshov, Michael Misa, and William Eklund would play on the second line giving the San Jose Sharks a deadly top 6 group of forwards. Tyler Toffoli would be your third line left winger with Alexander Wennberg as your third line center, and Kiefer Sherwood as your third line right winger. Barclay Goodrow would your fourth line left winger, Ty Dellandrea would be your fourth line center, and Phillip Kurashev, whose an RFA this Summer would be your fourth line right winger. San Jose still needs to improve the defense, but passing on McKenna or Stenberg whoever Toronto passes on at 2 does not seem like an option if San Jose wants to draft the best player on their board since either of those players would be the Sharks first line left winger.
   
   
   
   Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic did well at goalie when you consider how bad the San Jose Sharks defensive lines are at the moment. Also, San Jose drafted Joshua Ravensbergen in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, if neither of those stop gaps doesn't work out. Askarov had a 21-20-4 record and had a winning record if we exclude overtime losses from the equation, but his 3.64 GAA in 47 starts screams stop gap goalie for the former 2020 first round pick that was traded from the Nashville Predators to the San Jose Sharks after Jusse Saros got extended by the Nashville Predators. Nedeljkovic went 18-14-4 going .500 posting a 2.87 GAA, but both Askarov and Ndeljkovic had save percentages under .900. Askarov is a RFA in 2027 and a UFA in 2029 while Nedeljkovic is a UFA in 2028. This gives Joshua Ravensbergen ample time to develop, and hopefully its enough to where the defense is good enough in San Jose by the time Ravensbergen is ready for the NHL.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
   
   
   
   
3. Vancouver Canucks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
   
   
   Vancouver had the NHL's worst regular season record. They fell from 1 to 3 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra was drafted eighth overall by the Kingston Frontenacs in the 2024 OHL Draft. Kingston would end up trading Caleb Malhotra to the Brantford Bulldogs, who didn'tplay Caleb Malhotra until this season.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra is the son of Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra. His mom Joann played soccer at Victoria and her brother is NBA superstar Steve Nash.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Caleb Malhotra emerged and took the first line center job from Jake O'Brien who went eighth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. I've heard for a few weeks leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery that Vancouver would take Caleb Malhotra third overall if they failed to secure either of the top two picks in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 182 lb Caleb Malhotra had 29 goals, 55 assists, 84 points, and a +33 +/- ratio in 67 OHL games in 2025-2026. Caleb Malhotra had 13 goals, 13 assists, 26 points, and a +10 +/- ratio in 15 OHL Playoff games taking the Brantford Bulldogs to the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.
   
   
   
   Caleb Malhotra is going to Boston University this Fall. He will compete with Tynan Lawrence the other center in the 2026 NHL Draft at Boston University to be the first line center there this Fall. He will probably get signed to an NHL contract after his freshman season provided he beats out Tynan Lawrence for that first line center job.
   
   
   
   Drafting Caleb Malhotra gives the Vancouver Canucks long-term stability at center. Vancouver could have Jake DeBrusk as their first line left winger, Elias Petersson, the Vancouver Canucks 2017 first round pick drafted fifth overall, as their first line center, and Brock Boeser, the Vancouver Canucks 2015 first round pick, as their first line right winger. Vancouver could have Liam Ohgren, the Minnesota Wild's 2022 first round pick part of the Quinn Hughes trade as their second line left winger, Marco Rossi who they got from Minnesota in the Quinn Hughes trade as their second line center, and Linus Karlsson as their second line right winger. Vancouver could have Ty Mueller as their third line left winger, Caleb Malhotra as their third line center,and Nils Hoglander, their 2019 second round pick, as their third line right winger. Braden Cootes, their 2025 first round pick could be the eventual fourth line center with Aatu Raty complimenting him as their fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   After trading Quinn Hughes away, Vancouver had Filip Hronek and Zeev Buium, Minnesota's 2024 first round pick as their two first line defensemen. Tom Willander and Marcus Petersson were the two second line defensemen. Kirill Kudryavtsev and Elias Nils Petersson were Vancouver's two third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   Thatcher Demko, Kevin Lankinen, and Nikia Tolopilo are all under contract at goalie next year. Vancouver is still in a long-term rebuild, but if they draft Caleb Malhotra at 3 they can use 24 on a left winger for the future. Then they can use their day 2 picks in rounds 2-7 on long-term players that will take longer to develop possibly significantly longer to develop than Malhotra and the left winger they draft at 24.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Simon Katolicky, LW, Tappara (SM Liiga)
   
   
4. Buffalo Sabres: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
   
   
   The Chicago Blackhawks had the second worst record, but dropped to 4 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Chicago traded this pick to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Bowen Byram.
   
   
   
   The Buffalo Sabres have Zach Benson their 2023 first round pick as their first line left winger, Josh Norris as their first line center, and Tage Thompson as their first line right winger. Buffalo has Josh Doan as their second line left winger, Ryan McLeod as their second line center, and Jack Quinn Buffalo's 2020 first round pick probably gets promoted from third line right winger to second line right winger with Alex Tuch getting traded to the Washington Capitals. Buffalo has Jason Zucker as their third line left winger and Konsta Helnius their 2024 first round pick as their third line center. Buffalo will promote Jiri Kulich their 2022 first round pick to replace Peyton Krebs. Buffalo needs fourth line wingers and honestly could use a really good number one first line center.
   
   
   
   The Buffalo Sabres have Rasmus Dahlin and Matias Samuelsson as their two first line defensemen. Buffalo has Owen Power and Connor Timmins as their two second line defensemen. Buffalo has Zach Metsa as their number five defenseman. Buffalo has Radim Mrtka last years 2025 first round pick in their prospect pool. Buffalo also needs a long-term defenseman to replace Bowen Byram.
   
   
   
   Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the Buffalo Sabres starting goalie. Colten Ellis is the backup goalie. Devon Levi and Topias Leinonen Buffalo's 2022 second round pick are the two AHL goalies in Buffalo's prospect pool.
   
   
   
   Buffalo will go with the best player on their board because improvements are needed everywhere. Fourth line wingers are needed. A defenseman to replace Byram is needed. A true first line center is needed too despite Buffalo having four centers under contract for next season. I'm leaning Chase Reid who I mocked to Chicago before the Bowen Byram trade at 4.
   
   
   
   Chase Reid has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Chase Reid needs to develop his shot with both his wrist shot and his slap shot in terms of shooting power as well as shooting accuracy with both shots, but he's probably the best shot blocking defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of Keaton Verahoeff and Daxon Rudolph. Chase Reid really improved his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy in his draft year which was his weakness coming into this year. He did so well that both Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler of the Athletic now have Chase Reid ahead of Keaton Verhoeff, whose been the consensus top defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft all year as this is three years after Chase Reid fell to the seventh round of the 2023 OHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Chase Reid played on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds third line, second line, and first line. He spent most games on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds second line, but was the number one first line defenseman in the game I watched on Prospect Shifts. Chase Reid has the floor of a third line defenseman and the ceiling of a first line defenseman making Chase Reid the fourth player in the 2026 NHL Draft with first line potential.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 185 Chase Reid had 7 goals, 33 assists, 40 points, 32 penalty minutes, and a +4 +/- ratio in 39 OHL games in 2024-2025. Chase Reid had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 5 games during the 2025 OHL Playoffs. Chase Reid had 18 goals, 30 assists, 48 points, a +27 +/- ratio and 8 power play goals on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2025-2026. Chase Reid had 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, and a +3 +/- ratio in 10 games during the 2026 OHL Playoffs. Chase Reid is going to Michigan State this Fall.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
   
   
   
   
5. New York Rangers: Carson Carels, D, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
   
   
   New York fell from 3 to 5 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. New York would love to get Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, but know that's unrealistic. The New York Rangers reportedly love Caleb Malhotra too, but with Vancouver having family ties to Malhotra and Chicago having a history of drafting players on the Brantford Bulldogs, I highly doubt he gets to 5. New York is looking at drafting either a left sided defenseman or a right sided defenseman at 5 if the top two left wingers and Malhotra are off the board. The top left sided defenseman on their board is Prince George Cougars defenseman Carson Carels, who I mocked to the New York Rangers in my preseason mock back in August. The two right sided defensemen that the New York Rangers are looking at are Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Chase Reid and Prince Albert Raiders defenseman Daxon Rudolph.
   
   
   
   The New York Rangers have Gabriel Perreault their 2023 first round pick as their first line left winger, Mika Zibanejad as their first line center, and Alexis Lafreniere their first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft as their first line right winger. New York has Will Cuylle, their 2020 second round pick as their second line left winger, Vincent Trocheck as their second line center, and team captain J.T. Miller as their second line right winger. New York has Tye Kartye as their third line left winger, Noah Laba, their 2022 fourth round pick as a third line center, and Jaroslav Chmelar their 2021 fifth round pick as their third line right winger. New York has Taylor Raddysh as their fourth line left winger in a contract year next season, Adam Edstrom is their 2019 sixth round pick as well as the fourth line center, and Matt Rempe, New York's 2020 sixth round pick is their fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   The New York Rangers have Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov as their two first line defensemen on their top line when healthy. Braden Schneider, the New York Rangers 2020 first round pick finally got top line minutes with Adam Fox missing time with injuries and showed he earned a promotion from the third line to the second line making him the number three defenseman on the New York Rangers. Drew Fortescue a 2023 third round pick made the New York Rangers roster late in the regular season and is now the number four defenseman.
   
   
   
   The Nw York Rangers have Igor Shesterkin their 2014 fourth round pick as their starting goalie. New York also has Dylan Garand their 2020 fourth round pick as their backup goalie.
   
   
   
   With Chase Reid gone, Carson Carels becomes the most likely option at 5. If the Rangers draft Carson Carels, both Carson Carels, and EJ Emery their 2024 first round pick could be competing for bottom pairing roles on the New York Rangers third line as early as the end of the 2026-2027 NHL Season after next years College Hockey Season ends. Having that kind of stability on the New York Rangers blue line puts the New York Rangers back in the drivers seat to make another run at a playoff appearance as early as 2027-2028.
   
   
   
   Carson Carels is someone who ca be a number one defenseman on an NHL team down the road. Carson Carels was drafted fifteenth overall by the Prince George Cougars in the 2023 WHL Draft.
   
   
   
   Carson Carels has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Carson Carels needs to develop his shot with both his wrist shot and his slap shot in terms of shooting power as well as shooting accuracy with both shots, but he's probably the best shot blocking defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft outside of Keaton Verahoeff, Daxon Rudolph, and Chase Reid. Carson Carels did a great job developing his wrist shot power and wrist shot accuracy in his draft year. I still want to see his slap shot power and slap shot accuracy improve, but his ability as a shooter is no longer a question mark like it was heading into this season. Carson Carels improved his ability on the power play as well as his ability on the penalty killing showing the stamina to play on the ice for 31 minutes.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 175 lb Carson Carels had 6 goals, 29 assists, 35 points, 42 penalty minutes, a +22 +/- ratio iin 60 WHL games with the Prince George Cougars in 2024-2025. Carson Carels had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 7 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Carson Carels had 20 goals, 53 assists, 73 points, and a +23 +/- ratio nearly tripling his shots on goal from last season from 82 to 219 in 2025-2026. Carson Carels had 1 goal, 9 assists, 10 points, and a -1 +/- in 10 games in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Carson Carels has the floor of a third line defenseman and the ceiling of a first line defenseman. Carson Carels is the fifth different player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft. Carson Carels was a nominee for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy Defenseman Of The Year in his draft year while also getting voted alternate captain of the Prince George Cougars.
   
   
   
   Carson Carels will go to the NCAA and play for North Dakota. He could be in the NHL by the end of his freshman season as Carson Carels was the player I mocked to the Rangers in my prseason mock back in August.
   
   
   
6. Calgary Flames: Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
   
   
   Calgary fell from 4 to 6 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Calgary looks like a team that needs help everywhere outside of goalie Dustin Wolf as Calgary does not have a 50 point player at forward or defenseman on their entire roster. Jonathan Huberdeau their highest paid player making $10.5 million per year only posted 25 points in 50 games before a season ending injury as Huberdeau has regressed significantly ever since he was traded from the Florida Panthers to the Calgary Flames in the Matthew Tkachuk trade. Matvei Grindin, Calgary's second 2024 first round pick along with Zayne Parekh finally made the NHL and he actually cracked Calgary's second line by the end of the season which is extremely encouraging. Calgary's first line right winger Matthew Coronato their 2020 first round pick led the Flames in points with 45. Mikael Backlund, their captain played all 82 games as the first line center with Morgan Frost complimenting him on the second line matching Backlund's 40 point total with Frost entering the final year of his contract, and Connor Zary, Calgary's 2020 first round pick as their third line center as Zary is an RFA in 2028 when Backlund's contract expires. Calgary traded for Simon Nemec to give them a second first line defenseman to pair with Zayne Parekh. With the Rangers taking the guy they want in Carels at 5, they pivot to offense and go with Viggo Bjorck at 6 now who I mocked to Calgary at 10 in my preseason mock draft back in August.
   
   
   
   Viggo Bjorck entered the Fall of 2024 as the favorite to go second overall behind Gavin McKenna in the 2026 NHL Draft. Viggo Bjorck has played on the first line, second line, third line, and fourth line on the Djurgardens Under 20 Team. He also played all three forward roles at left winger, center, and right winger. When Anton Frondell got injured, he took the first line center job from him on the Under 20 Team and did not give it back due to a breakout campaign where he posted 74 points after entering the Fall of 2024 as the number two player behind McKenna, but this top 10 is so stacked that Bjorck plummetted all the way from 2 to 10 occupying the final spot in the top 10 of my first 2026 NHL Mock Draft where I mocked him to Calgary.
   
   
   
   Viggo Bjorck was the third line center on the Sweden Under 20 Team at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Like Ivar Stenberg he got promoted to the top line. Viggo Bjorck has the eye popping production that I wish Frondell showed me in Sweden. He also lacks expereince against men mainly playing against players his own age despite having amazing traits on tape while Frondell has some experience playing older players.
   
   
   
   The 5-10 172 lb Viggo Bjorck had 6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 42 games in 2024-2025. Viggo Bjorck had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 3 games during the 2026 SHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Viggo Bjorck has the speed, explosion, burst, versatility, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Viggo Bjorck is the sixth player with first line potential and enters his final season with Djurgardens IF next season.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Seattle Kraken: Albert Smits, D, Mikkelin Jukurit (SM Liiga)
   
   
   Seattle dropped one spot from 6 to 7 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Seattle finally drafts a defenseman here. There are 8 players they are looking at 7 including the top six off the board. The two players still on the board that they are looking at are Albert Smits a defenseman that plays for Mikkelin Jukurit in SM Liiga and Daxon Rudolph of the Prince Albert Raiders. I heard Smits may be as high as third on Seattle's big board behind only Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg. If that is the case Albert Smits will be the pick for the Seattle Kraken at 7.
   
   
   
   Albert Smits has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Albert Smits does need to develop his shot by improving his wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy. He's good on special teams effective on both the power play and as a penalty killer.
   
   
   
   The 6-3 205 lb Albert Smits had 6 goals, 7 assists, 13 points, and a -3 +/- ratio in 38 games in Liiga in 2025-2026. He's under contract with Mikkel Jukurit through the 2027-2028 season. This means Seattle will not get to see Albert Smits in the NHL until 2028-2029 at the very earliest.
   
   
   
   Albert Smits is already the number one defenseman on Mikkel Jukurit. He is the seventh player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Braidy Wassilyn, LW, Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
   
   
8. Winnipeg Jets: Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota
   
   
   Winnipeg dropped one spot from 7 to 8 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Winnipeg needs more bodies on the blue line besides Josh Morrissey and Neal Pionk. This team was 1.6 seconds away from losing to the St. Louis Blues in the first round because of this before tying that game 7 and winning in overtime before losing to Dallas in the next round. Winnipeg added Jonathan Toews at center to compliment Adam Lowry, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Mark Scheifele. Meanwhile Winnipeg should have Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi back as the first line wingers. Cole Perfetti will be the second line left winger replacing Nioklaj Ehlers with Gustav Nyquist moving to second line right winger where Perfetti played. Colby Barlow should be in the NHL as a third line left winger with Nino Neidereitter on the fourth line. I believe Winnipeg has one of the NHL's bottom 10 defensive pairings, but they are deeper at both center and left winger. As long as Connor Hellebuyck stays healthy at goalie with the two time Vezina Trophy winner back at goalie, it's hard to argue that Winnipeg misses the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs even if the team regresses due to poor defensive play, but that's exactly what happened and why Winnipeg is picking eighth overall.
   
   
   
   Teams with complete lines at forward and defenseman will give Winnipeg their best this season. Sascha Boudemine could be a good second line defensemen down the road, but he's still developing at Boston University. Winnipeg regressed without that top line defenseman, but they can get that in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   Keaton Verhoeff was drafted fourth overall by the Victoria Royals in the 2023 WHL Draft. He spent his freshman season at North Dakota after dominating his plus one draft year. Keaton Verhoeff s the guy I see Winnipeg taking at 8.
   
   
   
   Keaton Verhoeff has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Keaton Verhoeff can play all three zones the offensive zone, defensive zone, and the neutral zone. He can be an ace on the power play or an enforcer on the penalty killing unit.
   
   
   
   The Victoria Royals GM called him an outstanding person that leads by example. Keaton Verhoeff took the number one defenseman job on the Victoria Royals from team captain Justin Kipkie who moved over to the number two defenseman role on the top line next to Keaton Verhoeff with Keaton Verhoeff demonstrating elite shot blocking as Verhoeff did more in his +1 draft year than last years number one pick Matthew Schaefer and that's not a knock on Schaefer as much as it is praise to Verhoeff and his all around game. Keaton Verhoeff will be a number one defenseman and a first line defenseman for the team that drafts him in the NHL and he's the eighth player with first line potential in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 215 lb Keaton Verhoeff was 191 when he entered the WHL, but has added 24 lbs of muscle since entering the WHL three years ago. Keaton Verhoeff only had 0 goals, 2 assists, 2 points, and a +0 +/- ratio in 12 games in his rookie season in 2023-2024. Keaton Verhoeff had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Keaton Verhoeff had 21 goals, 24 assists, 45 points, 14 penalty minutes taking only 7 penalies with 0 minutes for fighting, and a +23 +/- ratio as the Victoria Royals number one defenseman in 2024-2025. Keaton Verhoeff had 1 goal, 9 assists, and 10 points in 11 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Keaton Verhoeff had 6 goals, 14 assists, 20 points, a +7 +/- rato, and helped North Dakota record 5 shutouts with two of those shutouts coming in the 2026 College Hockey Men's Tournament with those shutouts guiding North Dakota to the 2026 Frozen Four where they lost to Wisconsin during his freshman season at North Dakota in 2025-2026.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
   
   
   
   
9. San Jose Sharks: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
   
   
   The 2026 first round pick that Florida sent the Chicago Blackhawks for Seth Jones was top ten protected. Florida had the eighth worst record and only fell one spot following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Florida traded 9, 25, a 2029 first, and a 2030 second round pick to get Ottawa Senators team captain Brady Tkachuk. Ottawa traded this pick to San Jose for right winger William Eklund.
   
   
   
   San Jose has Dmitry Orlov and Shakir Mukhamadullin, the New Jersey Devils third 2020 first round pick from the Timo Meier trade as their two first line defensemen. Sam Dickinson, San Jose's second 2024 first round pick who many had going in the top 10 of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft will be promoted from the number four defenseman on the second line to the number three defenseman anchoring the second line with Luca Cagnoni their 2023 fifth round pick that I had a second round grade on complimenting him. It's also possible that Sam Dickinson beats out Shakir Mukhamadullin for the number two defenseman spot on the first line in camp next year. John Klingberg is a UFA and Luca Cagonin their 2023 fifth round pick that I had a second round grade on got some limited NHL action as a number six defenseman and looked good, so he might get an opportunity to play on the second line with a strong camp. San Jose needs two more defensemen short-term and two more defensemen long-term if 2025 second round pick Simon Wang pans out. Daxon Rudolph makes sense here at 9.
   
   
   
   The best player on the board at 9 for the San Jose Sharks is Daxon Rudolph who went first overall in the 2023 WHL Draft. Daxon Rudolph is heading to Denver this Fall and could be a number one defenseman on the NHL team that drafts him. When Daxon Rudolph and Sam Dickinson are linemates on the San Jose Sharks top line, this will be a playoff team down the road.
   
   
   
   Daxon Rudolph has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Daxon Rudolph has the traits you want from an NHL defenseman as he plays all three zones at a high level in the offensive zone, defensive zone, and neutral zone. He is the best shot blocker not named Keaton Verhoeff in the 2026 NHL Draft. Daxon Rudolph is the ninth player with experience playing on the first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 202 lb Daxon Rudolph had 7 goals, 34 assists, 41 points, 30 penalty minutes from 15 penalties, and a +13 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Daxon Rudolph had 1 goal, 11 assists, and 12 points in 11 games in the 2025 WHL Playoffs averaging 1 assist per game. Daxon Rudolph had 28 goals, 50 assists, 78 points, a +32 +/- ratio, and 13 power play goals with the Prince Albert Raiders in 2025-2026. Daxon Rudolph currently has 9 goals, 14 assists, 23 points, and a +10 +/- ratio. Daxon Rudolph got the Prince Albert Raiders to the 2026 WHL Championship game where they are facing Landon DuPont the top defenseman in the 2027 NHL Draft and the Everett Silvertips.
   
   
   Previous Pick: Adam Valentini, C, Michigan
   
   
10. Nashville Predators: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
    
    
    Nashville goes with a center at 10 which is where Nashville was projected to pick before the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, and this is also where Nashville will pick. Tyson Jost is a Free Agent and I expect Brady Martin to replace him next season. Matthew Wood, Nashville's 2023 first round pick did well as a second line center, but he's better off as a right winger.
    
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Filip Forsberg as their first line left winger, Ryan O'Reilly as their first line center in a contract year, and Jonathan Marchessault as their first line right winger. Nashville could have Steven Stamkos as their second line left winger, Brady Martin their 2025 first round pick drafted fifth overall as their second line center, and Matthew Wood, Nashville's 2023 first round pick as a second line right winger. Nashville could have Ross Colton as their third line left winger, Fyodor Svechkov as their third line center, and Zachary L'Heureux as their third line right winger. Nashville could have Reid Schaefer as their fourth line left winger, Ozzy Weisblatt as their fourth line center in a contract year, and Joakim Kemell their 2022 first round pick as their fourth line right winger. Ryker Lee, Nashville's third 2025 first round pick is also available.
    
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Roman Josi as their team captain and number one defenseman and Brady Skjei complimenting him on the first line. Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix are the two second line defensemene on Nashville with Perbix in a contract year. Justin Barron can play on a second line or first line, but he's excelled as a third line defenseman and hes an RFA. Ryan Ufko whose also an RFA complments him on the third line. Nashville has Tanner Molendyk their second 2023 first round pick and Cameron Reid their second 2025 first round pick in their prospect pool. Jacomb Rombach, Alex Huang, and Daiel Niemienen are also in the Nashville Predators prospect pool at defenseman.
    
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Juuse Saros, their 2013 fourth round pick as their starting goalie. Justus Annunen is their backup goalie. Jack Ivankovic, their 2025 second round pick is the starting goalie at Michigan.
    
    
    
    Drafting Boston University center Tynan Lawrence gives you a center tandem of Ryan O'Reilly, Brady Martin, Tynan Lawrence, and Fydor Svechkov while moving Matthew Wood back to right winger if you extend Ryan O'Reilly this offseason. If you let Ryan O'Reilly walk then you can play Brady Martin and Tynan Lawrence on your top six starting in 2027, if Lawrence signs with the team that drafts him after his draft year.
    
    
    
    Tynan Lawrence has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tynan Lawrence is the tenth player in the 2026 NHL Draft with experience on the first line.
    
    
    
    Tynan Lawrence was a first round pick in the QMJHL Draft. He opted for the USHL over the QMJHL despite going undrafted in the USHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 170 lb Tynan Lawrence had 25 goals, 29 assists, 54 points, and a +23 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Tynan Lawrence had 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points, and only 2 penalty minutes in the 2025 USHL Playoffs after taking 49 in the regular season in 14 games during the 2025 USHL Playoffs leading the Muskegon Lumberjacks to the 2025 Clarke Cup. Tynan Lawrence missed the beginning of the USHL season, but came back brielfy before enrolling at Boston University early. Tynan Lawrence had 2 goals, 5 assists, and 7 points in 18 games with Boston University as a freshman in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    I think Tynan Lawrence will play his sophomore and junior seasons at Boston University. He will be a line 2 center once again behind Caleb Malhotra before taking on the top line role in 2027-2028. He should be ready for Nashville by 2028-2029. There is also a chance Tynan Lawrence is in the NHL in the Spring of 2027.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Lars Steiner, RW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
    
    
    
    
11. St. Louis Blues: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    St. Louis remained at 11 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. St. Louis has a well rounded roster for the most part.
    
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues have Dylan Holloway as their first line let winger, Robert Thomas their 2017 first round pick as their first line center, and Jimmy Snuggerud, their 2022 first round pick as their first line right winger. St. Louis has Connor McMichael as their second line left winger whose an RFA, Pius Suter their second line center is in a contract year next season, and Pavel Buchnevich as their second line right winger. Jake Neighbours their 2020 first round pick is their third line left winger and an RFA next season, Dalibor Dvorsky the St. Louis Blues 2023 first round pick drafted tenth overall is their third line center, and Jonathan Drouin is their third line right winger in a contract year next season. St. Louis has Alexei Toropchenko their 2017 fourth round pick as their fourth line left winger, Jack Finley as their fourth line center, and Jonatan Berggren whose an RFA as their fourth line right winger. Even after trading Jordan Kyrou for the sixteenth pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, all that did was move Pavel Buchnevich from left winger to right winger where Kyrou used to play while bumping Jimmy Snuggerud up to the first line.
    
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues have Colton Parayko their 2012 third round pick as their number one defenseman now with Phillip Broberg complimenting him on the first line defense. St. Louis has Cam Fowler and Logan Mailloux as their two second line defensemen. Tyler Tucker is the number five defenseman anchoring the third line with Matthew Kessel whose an RFA complimentng him. Theo Lindstein the St. Louis Blues final 2023 first round pick drafted twenty ninth overall is the number seven defenseman on this roster who will only get promoted from the AHL to the NHL if someone gets traded.
    
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues have Jordan Binnington their 2011 third round pick as their starting goalie in a contract year next season. Joel Hofer, their 2018 fourth round pick isi the backup goalie and is an RFA next season.
    
    
    
    This gives the St. Louis Blues the luxury to draft for value over need at 11. Ethan Belchetz was drafted first overall in the OHL Draft two years ago. Former number one picks in the OHL and WHL Drafts rarely fall out of the top 10 of NHL Drafts. Worst case scenario Ethan Belchetz becomes your fourth line left winger when Alexei Toropchenko is a UFA in 2028. Best case scenario, you get a first line left winger in 2027 or 2028 that pushes everyone at left winger down a peg on this roster.
    
    
    
    Ethan Belchetz was drafted first overall by the Windsor Spitfires in the 2024 OHL Draft. Ethan Belchetz was also someone that an OHL scout told me could be a top 5 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Quite frankly he still could be if he dominates in his draft year.
    
    
    
    Ethan Belchetz has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ethan Belchetz is the eleventh player with experience on a first line.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 227 lb Ethan Belchetz had 17 goals, 21 assists, 38 points, 48 penalty minutes, and a -3 +/- ratio in 56 OHL games in 2024-2025. Ethan Belchetz was the Windsor Spitfires first line left winger in a majority of the games he played when he was healthy. The OHL regular season is 66 games, so Belchetz only missed 10 games with an injury which is why I would not put too much stock into his injury history. Ethan Belchetz had 34 goals, 25 assists, 59 points, a +19 +/- ratio, 10 power play goals, and 7 game-winning goals in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    St. Louis does need a left winger prospect in their prospect pool with their fourth line left winger set to become a UFA in 2027. That's why Ethan Belchetz is such a great fit here. Ethan Belchetz broke his clavicle in March, but I don't see him falling in the draft unless his medicals are too servere to be overlooked. Some believe he has a red flag in lateral agility.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Joe Iginla, RW, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
    
    
12. New Jersey Devils: Elton Hermansson, RW, Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
    
    
    New Jersey remained at 12 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. New Jersey has a lot of options to consider at 12.
    
    
    
    The New Jersey Devils have Timo Meier as their first line left winger, Nico Hischier their first overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft as their first line center, and Dawson Mercer, a 2020 first round pick as their first line right winger. New Jersey has Jesper Bratt, a 2016 sixth round pick as their second line left winger, Jack Hughes, their first overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft as their second line center, and Connor Brown as their second line right winger. New Jersey has Stefan Noesen, Cody Glass, and Arseny Gritsyuk are the three third line forwards at left winger, center, and right winger. Paul Cotter an RFA is the fourth line left winger, Nick Bjugstad their fourth line center is in a contract year, and Lenni Hameeaho their 2023 second round pick is their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The New Jersey Devils have Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes, New Jersey's 2021 first round pick drafted fourth overall are the two first line defensemen. New Jersey has Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler are the two second line defensemen with Simon Nemec gone. New Jersey hsas Jonathan Kovacevic and Brenden Dillon are their two third line defensemen. Anton Silayev, who was one of my favorite defensemen in the 2024 NHL Draft finally signed his entry level contract with the New Jersey Devils and will spend next season developing in the AHL, he should be on the New Jersey Devils roster in the NHL by 2027 at the very latest.
    
    
    
    The New Jersey Devils have Jacob Markstrom as their starting goalie. New Jersey has Jake Allen as a backup goalie. New Jersey also has Nico Daws a 2020 third round pick and Mikhail Yegorov their 2024 second round pick in their prospect pool at goalie.
    
    
    
    New Jersey gets a winger here. Elton Hermansson has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger, but mainly plays at right winger.
    
    
    
    Elton Hermansson is the son of Lennart Hermansson who had a 17 year career as a professional hockey player in Sweden. Elton Hermansson has the versatility to play both right winger and left winger even though right winger is his main position. New Jersey can draft Elton Hermansson to be a right winger of the future on either the first or second line.
    
    
    
    Elton Hermansson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, versatility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Elton Hermansson needs to improve his defensive awareness, but he is the twelfth with potential to play on first line in the 2026 NHL Draft as Elton Hermansson has the floor of a third line right winger and the ceiling of a first line right winger. That might slot him into a second line role at best on a team like the New Jersey Devils.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 181 lb Elton Hermansson had 17 goals, 19 assists, and 36 points in 41 games with Orebro HK's Under 20 Team in 2024-2025. Elton Hermansson had 11 goals, 10 assists, 21 points, and a +9 +/- ratio in 38 games with Modo Hockey in 2025-2026. Elton Hermansson had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 13 playoff games.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Maddox Dagenais, RW Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
    
    
    
    
13. New York Islanders: Nikita Klepov, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
    
    
    New York ended up staying at 13 following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. The New York Islanders had an excellent 2025 NHL Draft under their first year GM. Now expectations are a higher.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Emil Heineman as their first line left winger, Bo Horvat as their first line center, and Matthew Barzal their 2015 first round pick as their first line right winger. New York has Callum Richie as their second line left winger, Brayden Schenn as their second line center, and Kyle Palmieri as their second line right winger. New York has Simon Holmstrom their 2019 first round pick is their third line left winger, Jean-Gabriel Pageau as their third line center, and Maxim Shabanov their third line right winger is an RFA. New York has Ondrej Palat as their fourth line left winger, Casey Cizikas as their fourth line center, and Anthony Duclair as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Matthew Schaefer last years number one overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and Ryan Pulock as their two first line defensemen with both guys capaable of being the number one defenseman on this Islanders first line. New York has Scott Mayfield and Adam Pelech as their two second line defensemen. New York has Alexande Romanov and Isaiah George a 2022 fourth round pick as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Ilya Sorokin their 2014 third round pick as their starting goalie. New York has Semyon Varlamov as their backup goalie.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders draft another right winger. Nikita Klepov led the OHL in points as a rookie after the Saginaw Spirit took him in the first round of the CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    Nikita Klepov has the skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Nikita Klepov was born in Deerfield Beach, Florida, but played hockey in Russia before returning to North America to play in the USHL before being drafted by the Saginaw Spirit in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 180 lb Nikita Klepov had 37 goals, 60 assists, 97 points, a +9 +/- ratio, 13 power play goals, and 240 shots on goal in 67 OHL games in 2025-2026. Nikita Klepov had 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in the 2026 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Nikita Klepov is the thirteenth player in the 2026 NHL Draft with experience on a first line. New York drafted Victor Eklund as a future first line right winger as Eklund played on the top line with Bo Horvat in the Islanders regular season finale. Calum Ritchie is the second line right winger. Brayden Schenn is the second line left winger. Ondrej Palat is now on the Islanders too.
    
    
    
    Nikita Klepov is going to Michigan State this Fall. He will play in the NCAA for a year or two. I believe he will be on the New York Islanders in 2028 at the very earliest. I see Klepov going to Michigan State for either two years or one year with a season in the AHL before making the jump to the AHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
    
    
14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Oscar Hemming, RW, Boston College
    
    
    Columbus ended up picking at 14 in the 2026 NHL Draft following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Columbus does lose some key Free Agents this year.
    
    
    
    The Columbus Blue Jackets have Kirill Marchenko their 2018 second round pick as their first line left winger in a contract year next season before becoming an RFA, Adam Fantilli, their 2023 first round pick drafted third overall as their first line center whose an RFA this summer, and Valeri Nichushkin as their first line right winger. Cole Silinger, their second 2021 first round pick is their second line left winger, he's an RFA this summer too, Sean Monahan as thier second line center, and Conor Garland as their second line right winger. Kent Johnson, their first 2021 first round pick, is their third line left winger, Charlie Coyle your fourth line center becomes the third line center with Columbus Blue Jackets team captain Boone Jenner leaving, and Mathieu Oliver as their their third line right winger. Miles Wood is your fourth line left winger, Luca Del Bel Belluz your 2022 second round pick is your fourth line center, and Isac Lundstrom is your fourth line right winger. They may draft their future fourth line right winger with this pick at 14.
    
    
    
    The Columbus Blue Jackets have Zach Werenski their 2015 first round pick and Dante Fabbro on their first line. Columbus has Denton Mateychuk their second 2022 first round pick that the Blue Jackets ketp and Ivan Provorov are the two second line defensemen. Columbus has Damon Severson now as your number five defenseman anchoring the third line and Jake Christensen compliments him.
    
    
    
    The Columbus Blue Jackets have starting goalie Elvis Merzlikens, their 2014 third round pick in a contract year next season. Jet Greaves their backup goalie is an RFA this Summer.
    
    
    
    Columbus has prospects in their prospect pool like Cayden Lindstrom at center, Jackson Smith at defenseman, Pyotor Andreyanov at goalie, and Evan Gardner their 2024 second round pick at goalie too. Adding a winger to this prospect poolwith first round prospects feels like something Columbus might do.
    
    
    
    Columbus gets a right winger to stash and develop for the future. One guy that has the floor of a third line right winger and the ceiling of a first line right winger is Boston College right winger Oscar Hemming, the younger brother of Dallas Stars 2024 first round pick Emil Hemming.
    
    
    
    Oscar Hemming has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, versatility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Oscar Hemming lined up as both a first line left winger and a first line right winger in the final three games for Boston University. Oscar Hemming's hockey sense is his best quality.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 200 lb Oscar Hemming had 1 goal, 7 assists, and 8 points in 19 games with Boston College as a freshman in 2025-2026. Oscar Hemming left Finland to go to Boston College.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Arseni Ilyin, LW, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)
    
    
    
    
15. St. Louis Blues: Ryan Lin, D, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues ended up picking at 15 from the Detroit Red Wings following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. St. Louis uses this 2026 first round pick from the Detroit Red Wings on a defenseman. Ryan Lin was a preseason top five pick in my 2026 NHL Mock Draft. St. Louis can draft Ryan Lin here.
    
    
    
    Ryan Lin has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, playmaking, passing, shooting, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ryan Lin has the traits you want from an NHL defenseman. He does not dominate all three zones like Keaton Verhoeff and is not as big as Verhoeff, but he is a number one defenseman on his teams first line.
    
    
    
    There were only three defenseman that generated 50 points at the age of 16 in the WHL. One of those defenseman was New Jersey Devils legend Scott Niedermeyer. The other two are Ryan Lin the second best defenseman in the 2026 NHL Draft and the other guy is Landon DuPont, the first pick in the 2024 WHL Draft who won the WHL Rookie Of The Year last season guiding the Everett Silvertips to the leagues best regular season record as DuPont is the favorite to go first overall in the 2027 NHL Draft. Ryan Lin was drafted sixth overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2023 WHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 172 lb Ryan Lin has gained 20 lbs of muscle since being drafted by the Vancouver Giants with the sixth pick in the 2023 WHL Draft. Ryan Lin has a long stride when skating on the ice. He also knows how to take risks and when to take risks with his timing for taking risks at a precise level. Ryan Lin had 5 goals, 48 assists, 53 points, 14 penalty minutes only taking 7 penalties all season, and a +11 +/- ratio in 2024-2025. Ryan Lin had 0 goals, 2 assists, and 2 points in the 2025 WHL Playoffs. Ryan Lin had 14 goals, 43 assists, 57 pints, and a -19 +/- ratio after getting promoted to alternate captain in 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Ryan Lin is the fifteenth player with experience on a first line. Ryan Lin will probably go to the NCAA and develop on the Denver Pioneers next season and possibly the year after that.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mikey Berchild, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
16. St. Louis Blues: Alexander Command, C, Orebro HK (Elitserien)
    
    
    Washington ended up picking at 16 the 2026 NHL Draft following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. Washington traded this pick to the St. Louis Blues for Jordan Kyrou.
    
    
    
    St. Louis grabs a center to stash and develop. Alexander Command is a center that is raw, but can develop for a few years in Sweden with his contract with Orebro HK running through 2028.
    
    
    
    Alexander Command has the skating, playmaking, passing, vision, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Alexander Command mainly played on the fourth line of Orebro HK in the SHL, but he did play on the first line for Sweden at the World Junior Championships where he averaged a poinnt per game and won a gold medal. He also played on the second line behind Viggo Bjorck on the International Jr. team for Sweden averaging a point per game as well. This is the sixteenth player with experience or potential on a first line in the 2026 NHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 187 lb Alexander Command had 17 goals, 27 assists, 44 points, and a +10 +/- ratoi on the Orebro HK Under 20 Team in 2025-2026. Alexander Command had 5 goals, 8 assists, and 13 points in 14 games in the Orebro HK Under 20 team in the 2026 Playoffs. Alexander Command had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 6 SHL games.
    
    
    
    Alexander Command's Orebro HK contract in Sweden runs through 2027-2028. That is perfect timing with the St. Louis Blues probably needing another center at that point.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack (OHL)