The last time Toronto picked first, they selected franchise star Auston Matthews in 2016. Coincidentally enough, the draft that year happened to be in Buffalo, NY, which is the same location as this year’s event on June 26-27.

And while the consensus seems to be that the Maple Leafs will select Penn State winger Gavin McKenna with the top pick, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still great players to be had. From picks two through five, there are players who, realistically, could step in this year and help a young team. 

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Further down, there are sure to be gems akin to the Cole Caufields and Zach Bensons of the world. But what players will hear their names called early, and by which teams?

Here’s a mock of the first 16 picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. The rest of the order will be determined by how the Stanley Cup Playoffs shake out, so stay tuned for updated mocks between now and June’s draft.

2026 NHL Mock Draft - Post Lottery Edition

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)

The Maple Leafs don't need to overthink this. McKenna is the best player in this draft and is good enough to slide right in on a line with Matthews. This will give Toronto a new 1-2 punch moving forward. 

 

2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, W, Frölunda (SHL)

While the Sharks could use a blueliner, Mike Grier told ESPN on Tuesday night that he's still going to be looking at the best player available with the second pick. If that's the case, then Stenberg is the pick. He can play on both wings and will give San Jose another weapon to take the pressure off Macklin Celebrini.

 

3. Vancouver Canucks: Chase Reid, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The lottery couldn't have gone worse for Vancouver, but they'll still get a good player at number three. Reid is the best defenseman in this class, and, in other classes, he might be the number one pick. The Canucks lost Quinn Hughes, but Reid could help ease that sting a bit.

 

4. Chicago Blackhawks: Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL)

The Blackhawks need to find 200-foot players, and Malhotra is that. He has a motor that shows at both ends of the rink and doesn’t give up on pucks. It’s a skillset Chicago has been missing for years.

 

5. New York Rangers: Carson Carels, LHD, Prince George (WHL)

The Rangers need help almost everywhere on the roster. Adding Carels gives them a two-way blueliner who has some of the best defensive awareness of anyone in this class.

 

6. Calgary Flames: Alberts Šmits, LHD, EHC München (DEL)

The hockey world learned of Šmits during the World Juniors and Olympics as he represented Latvia. He’s a confident power-play quarterback who can move well at 6-3. He has all the potential of a future top-pair defender, and the Flames would like to see him make the leap by the time their new Arena opens in 2027. 

 

7. Seattle Kraken: Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, North Dakota (NCAA)

The run of defensemen continues with the Kraken taking a player who could very well go in the top 5. At 6-4, 212, Verhoeff isn’t afraid to use his big frame against opposing forwards, but he also has high-end passing abilities that should translate well in the NHL.

 

8. Winnipeg Jets: Viggo Björck, C, Djurgardens (SHL)

The Jets could go defense here, but Björck is too good to pass up at eight. At 17, he averaged nearly 20 minutes a night in the SHL. He’s a strong playmaker who can win faceoffs and uses speed to get to the puck. Sure, he’s small at just 5-9, 177 pounds, but any team that overlooks him because of that could find themselves regretting it in a few years.

 

9. Florida Panthers: Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA)

Florida has built up a reputation for being physical and hard to play against. So, why not add to that with the type of style? Hemming has a big frame at 6-4, and likes to hang around the net to collect pucks. He only had one goal as a 17-year-old freshman, but as he grows more into his frame, the production is expected to come. 

 

10. Nashville Predators: Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston (NCAA)

After a poor season, some aren’t as high on Lawrence as others. I still believe he can be a middle-six center down the line. He’ll get a bigger opportunity with Boston next year to show growth. The potential is there to be a good two-way forward, and that’s what Nashville is drafting for here. 

 

11. St. Louis Blues: Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP

Cullen can go anywhere from seventh to the mid-20s, depending on where you look. After an injury to start the season, Cullen was a point-per-game player when healthy. He’s a fast, two-way forward who could be a centerpiece player by the time he gets to the league.

 

12. New Jersey Devils: Daxon Rudolph, RHD, Prince Albert (WHL)

Rudolph is a player who just does what he has to with the puck. He won’t force plays, but rather take the sure option. He’s got a powerful shot and a passing ability that could have him quarterbacking power plays at the next level.

 

13. New York Islanders: Adam Novotný, LW, Peterborough (OHL)

As a rookie in the OHL, Novotný led Peterborough in scoring with 65 points. He’s not afraid to shoot and looks to get pucks on net whenever possible. He also plays in a way that any fan will appreciate, as he’s never one to find himself lost on the ice.

 

14. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL)

His season ended early due to a broken clavicle, but that shouldn’t hurt Belchetz's stock much. A bully on the ice, in the best sense of the word. He’s the definition of a player you love on your team but hate anywhere else. It also helps that he knows how to put the puck in the net, scoring 34 goals for Windsor last season. 

 

15. St. Louis Blues (From Detroit): Ryan Lin, LHD, Vancouver (WHL)

Heading to Denver after back-to-back 50-point seasons in Vancouver, Lin is as skilled a player on the blueline as there is in this class. People will look at his size and question if his play will translate to the NHL, but his ability to skate past players and find the open pass in the smallest of windows will put that to rest.

 

16. Washington Capitals: Malte Gustafsson, LHD, HV71 (Sweden)

At 6-4, 200 pounds, Gustafsson is another big defenseman from Sweden. He has the potential to be a middle-pairing two-way blueliner that can get the puck out of the zone. He’s not going to wow people who only look at the stat sheet, but coaches and scouts will love him.