The 2026 NHL Draft begins Friday, June 26, with Round 1, followed by Rounds 2–7 on Saturday, June 27 in Buffalo, New York. This year’s draft is expected to feature significant intrigue around the top prospects and plenty of trade activity as teams reshape their futures.
NHL Draft Set for Friday Night: Top Prospects, Draft Order and Storylines to Watch
The Hockey Focus News Desk
The NHL offseason officially begins Friday night as all 32 clubs gather at KeyBank Center in Buffalo for the opening round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Round 1 begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports, with Rounds 2-7 scheduled for Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Top Prospects to Watch
Gavin McKenna – LW
Widely projected as the top player in this year’s class, McKenna possesses elite offensive instincts, exceptional skating, and game-breaking creativity. Most analysts expect him to hear his name called first overall.
Ethan Belchetz – C
A dynamic two-way center with high-end skill and vision, Belchetz has steadily climbed draft boards throughout the season and is expected to be selected near the top of the draft.
Caleb Malhotra – C
Strong, responsible, and highly competitive, Malhotra combines NHL-ready size with excellent hockey IQ. His complete 200-foot game makes him one of the safest picks among the top prospects.
Ivar Stenberg – LW
The Swedish forward brings elite puck skills, speed, and offensive creativity. Many scouts believe his upside could make him one of the steals of the top five selections.
Current First Round Draft Order
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- San Jose Sharks
- Vancouver Canucks
- Buffalo Sabres
- New York Rangers
- Calgary Flames
- Seattle Kraken
- Winnipeg Jets
- San Jose Sharks (from Ottawa/Florida)
- Nashville Predators
- St. Louis Blues
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Islanders
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- St. Louis Blues (from Detroit)
- St. Louis Blues (from Washington)
- Los Angeles Kings
- Washington Capitals
- Utah Mammoth
- Buffalo Sabres
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Boston Bruins
- Vancouver Canucks
- Ottawa Senators
- New York Rangers
- San Jose Sharks
- Montreal Canadiens
- St. Louis Blues
- Calgary Flames
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Ottawa Senators
Teams to Watch
St. Louis Blues own four first-round selections (11, 15, 16, and 29) and could reshape their prospect pipeline—or use some of those picks in trades.
San Jose Sharks also hold three first-round picks, including No. 2 and No. 9, giving them tremendous flexibility.
Buffalo, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, and the Rangers each own multiple first-round selections and could become major players as trade discussions intensify.
Draft Night Could Get Busy
Several blockbuster trades have already changed the draft board this week, and league insiders expect even more movement before and during the first round. Teams looking to accelerate rebuilds or acquire established NHL talent could make Friday one of the busiest draft nights in recent memory.
Final Thoughts
The NHL Draft is always about more than selecting the next superstar. It’s where organizations build their future, identify long-term leaders, and uncover the hidden gems who often become tomorrow’s All-Stars.
By Saturday afternoon, more than 220 young players will have taken the next step toward their NHL dreams—and the next chapter of the league’s future will officially be underway.
