In the 2026 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs are predicted to select Gavin McKenna, a left-wing (LW) from Penn State (NCAA). This choice is based on the team's need for a top-tier player and McKenna's potential to fill that role. The San Jose Sharks, on the other hand, are expected to take Ivar Stenberg, a left-wing (LW) from Frölunda (SHL), as they seek to add a top-pair defenseman to their roster. The Vancouver Canucks are likely to select Caleb Malhotra, a center (C) from Brantford (OHL), as they aim to strengthen their center position. The Chicago Blackhawks may opt for Carson Carels, a left-handed defenseman (LHD) from Prince George (WHL), to bolster their defense. The New York Rangers could choose Chase Reid, a right-handed defenseman (RHD) from Soo (OHL), to enhance their defensive depth. The Calgary Flames are expected to select Alberts Šmits, a left-handed defenseman (LHD) from Munich (DEL), to add a skilled player to their roster. The Seattle Kraken may opt for Keaton Verhoeff, a right-handed defenseman (RHD) from North Dakota (NCAA), to address their need for a stud defenseman. The Winnipeg Jets are likely to select Viggo Björck, a center (C) from Djurgården (SHL), to strengthen their center position. The Florida Panthers may choose Daxon Rudolph, a right-handed defenseman (RHD) from Prince Albert (WHL), to add a skilled player to their defense. The Nashville Predators could select Ethan Belchetz, a left-wing (LW) from Windsor (OHL), to enhance their forward depth. The St. Louis Blues may opt for Tynan Lawrence, a center (C) from Boston University (NCAA), to strengthen their center position. The New Jersey Devils could choose Wyatt Cullen, a left-wing (LW) from U.S. NTDP (USHL), to add a skilled player to their roster. The New York Islanders may select Alexander Command, a center (C) from Örebro (U20 Nationell), to address their need for a center. The Columbus Blue Jackets could choose Oscar Hemming, a left-wing (LW) from Boston College (NCAA), to enhance their forward depth. The St. Louis Blues may opt for Malte Gustafsson, a left-handed defenseman (LHD) from HV71 (SHL), to add a skilled player to their defense. The Washington Capitals could select Oliver Suvanto, a center (C) from Tappara (Liiga), to strengthen their center position. The Los Angeles Kings may choose Elton Hermansson, a right-wing (RW) from MoDo (SHL), to add a skilled player to their roster. The Washington Capitals could select Nikita Klepov, a left-wing (LW) from Saginaw (OHL), to address their need for a skilled forward. The Utah Mammoth may opt for Ryan Lin, a right-handed defenseman (RHD) from Vancouver (WHL), to enhance their defensive depth. The San Jose Sharks could select Tommy Bleyl, a right-handed defenseman (RHD) from Moncton (QMJHL), to bolster their defense. The Philadelphia Flyers may choose Maksim Sokolovskii, a left-handed defenseman (LHD) from London (OHL), to add a physical player to their roster. The Pittsburgh Penguins could select Ilia Morozov, a center (C) from Miami (NCAA), to strengthen their center position. The Boston Bruins may opt for JP Hurlbert, a left-wing (LW) from Kamloops (WHL), to add a skilled player to their roster. The Vancouver Canucks could select Mathis Preston, a right-wing (RW) from Vancouver (WHL), to enhance their forward depth. The Seattle Kraken may choose William Håkansson, a left-handed defenseman (LHD) from Luleå (SHL), to add a skilled player to their roster. The New York Rangers could select Maddox Dagenais, a center (C) from Quebec (QMJHL), to address their need for a center. The Buffalo Sabres may opt for Gleb Pugachyov, a right-wing (RW) from Nizhny Novgorod Jr. (MHL), to enhance their forward depth. The Montreal Canadiens could select Adam Novotný, a left-wing (LW) from Peterborough (OHL), to add a skilled player to their roster. The St. Louis Blues may choose Jack Hextall, a center (C) from Youngstown (USHL), to strengthen their center position. The Calgary Flames could select Liam Ruck, a right-wing (RW) from Medicine Hat (WHL), to add a skilled player to their roster. The Carolina Hurricanes may opt for Niklas Aaram-Olsen, a left-wing (LW) from Örebro (SHL), to address their need for a skilled forward. The Ottawa Senators could select Brooks Rogowski, a center (C) from Oshawa (OHL), to enhance their forward depth.
