NHL Mock Draft 2026: Full First-Round Predictions

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

Gavin McKenna — LW

McKenna is easily the best player in the draft. I could sit here all day using all sorts of adjectives to describe him. First, his agility on the ice is remarkable, as he maneuvers the puck in ways that should be illegal. A lethal shot, combined with the ability to think four steps ahead, makes him a bona fide star. His passing skills are deadly accurate.

2. San Jose Sharks

Ivar Stenberg — LW/RW

Ivar’s sauce pass is a thing of beauty. His ability to distribute the puck makes him an extremely dangerous player. He has a terrific shot and can score from anywhere. Ivar’s skating ability is off the charts, and his edge work allows him to protect the puck, making him difficult to defend.

3. Vancouver Canucks

Caleb Malhotra — C

Caleb is excellent off the draw and reliable in the defensive zone. He is known for his 200-foot game. He is an excellent shooter with underrated hands. Caleb is a solid No. 2 centre—some say a No. 1—and a no-nonsense player who goes about his business. His playmaking skills make him a complete player.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

Chase Reid — RD

Chase’s best skill is probably his skating. He is an elite offensive defenceman with a sneaky shot. His hockey IQ is high, and he is tremendous at finding the open man. Experts are calling him a powerplay quarterback.

He has been working hard on his defensive skills, making his game even better. His skating can bail him out of trouble, and he knows his way around the offensive zone.

5. New York Rangers

Carson Carels — LD

Where Carson gets selected is a guessing game, with projections ranging from second to eighth. Carson is a physical monster who hits with the best of them.

He is a two-way defenceman who aggressively attacks opposing forwards, forcing them to give up the puck. Carson is remarkable on breakouts because of his puck distribution and excellent passing.

6. Calgary Flames

Viggo Bjorck — C

Viggo can skate through a telephone booth. His sauce passes in tight areas make him a dangerous offensive weapon. He has excellent edge control, and his first stride gives him the space to maneuver and make plays.

He has a deceptive shot and a quick release and could be lethal on the powerplay. He is reliable defensively, is not a floater, and comes back to help in his own end. He makes up for his lack of size with his tenacity and determination to win.

7. Seattle Kraken

Keaton Verhoeff — RD

Keaton could be picked as high as third in the draft, depending on the type of defenceman a team needs. He is a big, physical defender who likes to hit people in the corners.

Keaton distributes the puck well and creates high-quality scoring chances for his team. He has a heavy shot and could develop into a powerplay player. He is rated behind Reid in most mock drafts, but I love his physical play.

8. Winnipeg Jets

Daxon Rudolph — RD

Daxon is another excellent two-way defenceman. He is a fluid skater whose edge work gets him out of trouble. His ability to dish the puck at the perfect time will get him plenty of apples.

He puts his body on the line to block shots, and his stick work is slick. His physical play would make him a valuable asset to the Jets.

9. Florida Panthers

Tynan Lawrence — C

I might have picked Tynan a little high here. He is a gifted offensive player who dishes the puck as well as anyone. Tynan can dangle the puck, make defencemen focus on it, and then leave them in the dust.

His shot is deadly accurate and he has the potential to become a No. 1 centre. He is one of the youngest players in the draft and will only get better.

10. Nashville Predators

Alberts Šmits — LD

Alberts is a mobile defenceman who uses his physical presence effectively. His greatest strength is his lethal shot. He has excellent puck vision and can be used in a variety of situations.

Alberts is the kind of player who wants the puck in pressure situations. He is an excellent defender with some offence in his game and could develop into a top-pairing defenceman.

11. St. Louis Blues

Eathan Belchetz — LW

Eathan is the kind of dangerous power forward every team needs. His ability to fight for the puck gives him opportunities to score in tight spaces. He has a deadly shot and projects as a traditional power forward.

What scouts will really value is his backchecking and ability to stop scoring chances. Getting a power forward who can also play defence is a bonus.

12. New Jersey Devils

Oscar Hemming — RW

Oscar is a swift, skillful skater who plays a physical game. He thrives in the cycle game in the offensive zone and plays well along the boards.

He will get his share of garbage goals and go to the net like a bull in a china shop. He also uses his strength effectively in the defensive zone. He might not score the prettiest goals, but he will be there to make life miserable for opposing players.

13. New York Islanders

Ryan Lin — RD

Ryan is a highly intelligent defender. He reacts quickly to loose pucks and developing plays, causing havoc for forwards crossing the blue line. His aggressive stickwork breaks up plays.

His defensive play is excellent, and he does not panic in his own zone. He is also an elite skater with excellent puck-distribution skills. The apples will come with this kid. He has been described as a terrific powerplay quarterback.

14. Columbus Blue Jackets

Wyatt Cullen — LW

Wyatt’s best offensive skill is his quick release. His shot is heavy and deadly accurate. He fights for the puck, works hard, plays a strong two-way game, and is defensively responsible.

He might not be a sexy pick, but he is a safe one. You know what you are getting with Wyatt. His growing offensive presence is moving him up the charts.

15. St. Louis Blues

Malte Gustafsson — RD

Malte is a solid defender with a punch of offence. He will be a monster in his own zone because of his strong positional play.

He is a physical defenceman who aggressively closes the gap on opposing skaters. If you are skating through this kid’s zone, keep your head up! He is known for his physical play.

16. Washington Capitals

Adam Novotny — C

Adam is a triggerman. His shot is deadly accurate and he can score from anywhere. He is also a powerful skater who can get in and out of traffic.

Adam is close to the complete package. If he develops his defensive play, he could become a top-six forward. He is also willing to get his nose dirty in the corners.

17. Los Angeles Kings

Nikita Klepov — LW

Nikita’s stickhandling skills are second to none. He has a quick snapshot that fools goaltenders. His ability to dish off the puck also makes him a powerful weapon on the powerplay.

He is a fast, powerful skater who should get plenty of attention in the first round. He and Adam could easily flip-flop. It is all in the eye of the beholder.

18. Washington Capitals

Alexander Command — C

Alexander has consistently been moving up the charts. He is one of the hardest-working players in the draft.

He is a highly competitive centre with enough offensive skill to make him an attractive late, first-round selection. He is also very good on the boards.

19. Utah Mammoth

Liam Ruck — RW

Liam is an offensive forward with an exceptional talent for coming through in the clutch. He has scored 45 goals since last season.

His maneuverability allows him to get into position and set up teammates for easy goals. He will be plucking plenty of apples from the orchard. Ruck is also very good defensively, backchecks hard, and is an excellent penalty killer.

20. Buffalo Sabres

Xavier Villeneuve — LD

Xavier has elite puck-moving skills and is an exceptional skater. His hockey IQ is off the charts, and he knows exactly when to use his shot.

His excellent shot, combined with his playmaking skills, makes him a natural powerplay quarterback.

21. Philadelphia Flyers

Oliver Suvanto — C/LW

Oliver quietly goes about his business. He is a strong forward who thrives in the cycle game and along the boards. Much of his offence will come from the nitty-gritty areas—or what I like to call garbage goals.

Oliver can be trusted in the defensive zone and is considered an elite player in the faceoff circle. He is a perfect fit for any team that needs a physical centre.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins

Yegor Shilov — C

Yegor is a dangerous, skilled centre whose greatest strength is probably his smooth stickhandling through tight spaces.

He has a dangerous shot with a quick release and the ability to use it from anywhere on the ice.

23. Boston Bruins

Elton Hermansson — RW

If Elton develops defensively, he could move up in the draft. He excels in transition and might be one of the best passers available.

He plays mostly on the right wing but is capable of playing either side. He has a high hockey IQ and an explosive shot. If a team is patient with him, it could end up with an elite forward.

24. Vancouver Canucks

Ilia Morozov — C

Ilia is a big, strong, centre who can contribute in every aspect of the game. He is a strong passer with a high hockey IQ and a solid one-timer on the power play.

He reminds me of a Joel Otto-type player. He is not a flashy or spectacular pick. He is a reliable player who can grind it out with the best of them.

25. Seattle Kraken

Marcus Nordmark — RW

Marcus might be one of the smartest players in the draft. His hockey IQ is off the charts, and his stickhandling and playmaking skills make him a desirable prospect.

26. New York Rangers

Maddox Dagenais — C

I could probably copy and paste here. Seriously, Maddox is a skilled forward with great potential.

He is a smooth-skating playmaker with a good shot and the potential to become a second-line centre. He would have been rated higher in many other draft years. He has the DNA of an offensive juggernaut.

27. San Jose Sharks

Juho Piiparinen — RD

Juho is a defensive defenceman who could develop into an effective shutdown player. He keeps his game simple, knows his limitations, and might be one of the best shutdown defencemen in the draft.

He has the potential to become a steady No. 4 or 5 defenceman.

28. Montreal Canadiens

Jeffrey Paul Hurlbert — RW/LW

Jeffrey has an electric wrist shot with tons of voltage. His quick release gives him a highly dangerous weapon.

He is lethal on the powerplay because of his ability to find open space. He has a high hockey IQ and can make plays on the fly.

29. St. Louis Blues

Ryan Roobroeck — C

Ryan possesses a howitzer of a shot that will give goaltenders nightmares. He also has surprising passing and playmaking skills and can set up his teammates.

He is a traditional power forward with a strong physical game and will be a pistol in the dressing room.

30. Calgary Flames

Markus Ruck — C

Markus is a playmaker who does not show up every night. He has terrific stick skills, and his passing ability is out of this world because of his exceptional puck vision.

The Flames may go after both Rucks.

31. Carolina Hurricanes

Mathis Preston — RW

Mathis is a sneaky-good forward who is constantly thinking three moves ahead. He draws defenders toward him, opening space for teammates and creating clear passing lanes.

He excels as a playmaker and has an excellent release, making his shot deadly.

32. Ottawa Senators

Brooks Rogowski — C

Brooks uses his size to create scoring chances and is difficult to knock off the puck. He is a great skater for a player of his size and will fight for possession along the boards.

He has the potential to develop into a third-line centre.

John Garrett: The Man Who Made Hockey Feel Like Home

One of my favorite commentators from Sportsnet and, of course, Hockey Night in Canada has always been John Garrett. Not only did he have a memorable broadcasting style, but he was also one of the many players who went to the WHA.

During his time in the WHA, John built strong memories, especially from his years of service with the Canucks, which he always recalled fondly.

John played for the Minnesota Fighting Saints from 1973 to 1976. After leaving the Saints, he joined the Toronto Toros, who later relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, where he played for three seasons. In his last WHA season, he played with the New England Whalers. When the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979, John stayed with the Hartford Whalers. He later played with the Quebec Nordiques and finished his NHL playing career with the Vancouver Canucks.

I often listened to him calling the Canucks games; he was so good. His cheerful presence stood out, and he really enjoyed life, as evidenced by both his play and his calls. He was so knowledgeable with his comments. He taught me how a goalie in the NHL was supposed to be.

He was known for being very personable, and no one ever had a mean thing to say about him. Always willing to talk hockey, he was widely recognized for his ability to make people feel welcome.

Fans lovingly remember him as our ‘Favorite Uncle,’ a testament to the warmth he brought to the hockey community.

On the broadcast, John helped people feel included. He just brought a smile to everyone’s face and, in doing so, became a favorite among all hockey fans.

John’s Iconic Sayings

“In it goes.”

After every goal during his commentary, John would say, ‘In it goes.’ This phrase became one of the things fans will always remember him for.

“Yes!“

John’s enthusiastic response whenever he agreed with the announcer he was paired with lives on in my memory.  

Final Word

My sincere sympathy goes out to everyone who worked with John Garrett, as well as to his wife and children. His positive influence was felt by many, and he will be sadly missed. 

Randy

If the Maple Leafs Were Run by the Mob

As we put an end to a nightmare of a season, here comes the construction crew to fix it. The Owners are the clients, the General managers are the builders, and the players are the tools to get the job done. Of course, the coaches are the architects. It’s the President’s job to put everything together.

What I would like to discuss is the Architect. If I am not mistaken, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment, Keith Pelley, has said the organization will not undergo a total rebuild. Assuming he is telling the truth, the Leafs will likely go with an experienced architect.

Characteristics of an Architect

Must know the English language

The Architect must be fluent in English. He has to be specific about what he needs. The Architect has to bamboozle everyone into thinking he is worth millions. If he is not worth millions, no one will pay attention to him, thinking he doesn’t know what you are talking about.

The ability to kiss one’s patootie

The ability of a hustler—oops, I mean Architect—to kiss one’s royal patootie is vital to his success. Fooling employees (players) into thinking they are all good soldiers can be tricky and tiresome, but if he does not have the players’ full support, his success will be thwarted. Sooner or later, he will be executed—oh, I mean, fired. Also, holding hands may be required.

Hire the Architect assistants (The henchmen)

The Architect is usually allowed to have two assistants, one of whom has certain connections to enforce complete compliance from the employees to achieve the goal of victory. He must gently guide them toward a successful career. Keeping the Architect happy means he won’t be sent to his maker—I mean, to the minors. Sorry, slip of the tongue.  

Video assistant

For some reason, there has been a rash of complaints about tampering with video. Unfortunately, most organizations have evidence showing that they have made mistakes, but those clips have mysteriously gone missing. But I am sure that is just part of teaching players how to meet the organization’s expectations and cut down on the executions—oh, I mean demotions.

The final word

I almost forgot the last qualification: the Architect must have some artistic skills. The ability to draw stick men and diagrams. To show what happens to players who don’t comply—I mean, to hold players responsible for being where they are supposed to be. The drawing of stickmen is to help protect the innocent. We do not want to accuse anyone prematurely.

Randy 

You're the GM, Which Star Would You Bet On Now?

Wait a minute, is this the off-season? A trade involving Matthew Barzal and Elias Pettersson?

Sorry, I've never been a person to beat around the bush. I am a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy (except I am a vegetarian). Most people feel that an overhaul is not possible; a shake-up is more plausible.   

Going on that premise, if Elias Pettersson comes on the market and the price involves Matthew Barzal, would you bite? A few facts for you: Pettersson has not been the same player for the last two years. His stats have dropped to 49 and 45 points, respectively. Before that, though, he was nearly a point-per-game player for 6 seasons, topping off at 102 points in the 2022-23 season. Pettersson has been forced to change scenery in years past, a move that could revive his career. He is still in his prime.

Matthew has been a steady player, reliable throughout his career. Although his best year was 83 points, Matthew has been the better player over the last two years. This year, he scored 71 points, and, of course, he only had 30 because of an injury. He is 28 years old. He has had two 80-point seasons.

Each player is an offensive juggernaut. Both can skate and create scoring chances. Both are playmakers and leaders of the dressing rooms who can say they need a change of scenery. If this came up, would you be tempted?

Final Word

When it came down to it, the Islanders ran out of firepower. Will offensive issues be addressed in the summer? Will the Isles have a new backup for Sorokin? Then there are the vets: Who goes and who stays? The off-season will be an interesting one to watch!

Randy 

What Cost Patrick Roy His Job with the Islanders?

As the New York Islanders’ season comes to an end, I thought: What cost Roy the Isles’ job? The following article is purely conjecture; it is not an inside info story.  

Did the Players quit on him?

Is it common knowledge that a coach’s shelf life is usually 2-3 years before the players shut the coach out? When you get a strong-willed coach, it is bound to happen; he will clash with some of the players. When this happens, they usually tune him out completely.

I am referring especially to the epic 8-3 loss to the Pens. The Islanders had total control of the game until the backbreaking shorthanded goal by Rakell, which cut it to 3-2 for the Islanders. From that point on, the Pens took over, scoring 6 straight goals to an 8-3 lead.  

For some reason, the biggest issue is the Islanders’ inability to play a full 60 minutes. Go no further than the Blackhawks game in Long Island. The Hawks landed a 4-1 win over the Isles with a ferocious rally that fell short 4-3 on the 24th of March. If they weren’t so sloppy in the first two periods, they would have blown the Hawks away.

Isles hire Pete Deboer

I must admit I was shocked by the timing of the firing. I asked around, and the consensus was that if they had waited too long to hire Peter DeBoer, they would have had to compete with multiple teams vying for his services. A lot of people believe that Peter will have this team turned around for next season.

Final word

Whether Peter can save this season remains to be seen, but after what they gave up on Roy, can they recover and go 4-0? Even if they can’t, the Flyers are one of the hottest teams in the league, led by a hot goalie, and the Sens have corrected their season of late. Anything is possible; Peter will have to have this team prepared for battle. 

Leafs Drop the Axe: What Comes Next in the Center of the Universe

The hockey world got a huge surprise on Monday afternoon as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brad Treliving parted ways. That is a kind way of saying Brad got the axe. What surprised me was not so much the firing as the timing. I was not surprised at the firing, since it's usually the coaches or managers who suffer through a bad year. The timing is rather curious. Why not wait until the end of the year? I am expecting a coaching change at the end of the year.

Where do the Maple Leafs go for a new General Manager? I would stay with the division, as with the Florida Panthers.

Rick Dudley

Rick is serving as the Senior Advisor for the Florida Panthers. He has been heavily involved in the Panthers' success. He has been General Manager for Florida, Tampa, Atlanta, and Ottawa. He has also been a head coach. He knows how to maintain a stable franchise. He can step right in with very little training. Perfect for a team that does not want to rebuild.

Doug Armstrong

The process is probably pretty much done. I am sure if the Toronto Maple Leafs had their choice, Doug would be their man. The Maple Leafs need a man who can work under plenty of scrutiny and pressure from the media and the emotional fan base. Doug knows how to work with people, having been the General Manager of Canada's hockey team.

The wild card

If Toronto were going through a total facelift, is there one name I should look for? Mark Messier.

Mark has never been a General Manager, but he has learned from Glen Alther, who was one of the best. Mark brings in some new blood, which could bring some life back into the center of the universe.

Final word

Whoever gets the job, the General Manager's first responsibility will be the future of Matthews. He will have to work on the fly; there is no rest for the wicked. The Leafs are not in the business of rebuilding; this is a retool on the fly.

Randy 

Great Teams, Bad Brackets: What’s Wrong With the NHL Playoff Setup

The point system

I have heard nothing but complaints about the NHL point system. I’ve witnessed it too many times: When the game is tied late in the third period and neither team is willing to take a chance, I’m waiting for the game to go to overtime. The NHL will never change because they want as many teams in the playoff hunt at the end of the season as possible. Fans will continue to walk through the gate as long as their teams remain in the playoff hunt.  

The system of three points for a win, two for an overtime win, and one for an overtime loss has some merit. It separates the haves from the have-nots. It motivates teams to win in regulation. I’m okay with it, but to be honest, I like having a sense of meaning at the end of the season.

What is the biggest challenge going into the playoffs?

The biggest complaint is that the Avalanche, Wild, and Stars are in the same division. As a result, two of them will be out in the first two rounds. This has to be fixed; the league must consider 1-8. There’s a better chance we would have had a better final.

I understand the NHL’s decision. They do not want to remove rivalries from the playoffs. Clearly, Colorado, Minnesota, and Dallas are the three best teams in the West. Losing two of those three teams in the early round is clearly an error in judgment.

Final

The playoffs have been fun to watch this year, especially in the East. It is wide open with no clear favorite. I know most people favor the Tampa Bay Lightning. I think the Buffalo Sabres could beat Tampa in a seven-game series. In the Metro, obviously, Carolina is the team to beat. They will have an easier route to the final than Tampa or Buffalo. And in any case, it will be fun for the fans to watch.

In the West, you can pick any one of Minnesota, Colorado, or Dallas. You have to be happy for Utah fans, because it will be easier for them to reach the final than for the other three teams, because Utah will be the top wild-card team and play the Pacific Division, which is clearly the weaker division.

As for the Pacific division, it looks like the Anaheim Ducks are in first place, followed by the Oilers and the Knights, who are falling all over each other not to win, although the Oilers had a huge win over Utah on the road.