It's nearly time.
The 2026 NHL Draft gets underway Friday at 7 p.m. ET (on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and Sportsnet/TVA in Canada). Rounds 2-7 will take place Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. ET.
Gavin McKenna is the presumptive favorite to go No. 1 but certainly isn't a lock. Expect to hear Ivar Stenberg's name called early. Beyond that, there's sure to be some chaos. theScore's Kyle Cushman takes his final shot at breaking down what the first round might look like.
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Draft prospect survey
Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA) 🇨🇦
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 170 lbs
McKenna is an imperfect player. He's also the most talented player in the draft thanks to his exceptional skill and offensive wizardry. McKenna was absurdly dominant in the WHL and, after a slightly longer adjustment period than expected, became an offensively dominant player in the NCAA as well. McKenna has 100-point potential and could become a truly elite power-play creator. Don't overthink it: Take the prospect with the most game-deciding ability.
Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (SHL) 🇸🇪
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 183 lbs
Stenberg is a perfect fit alongside Macklin Celebrini with his competitiveness and offensive skill. He'll play in all situations and looks primed to be a standout playoff performer. Stenberg scored at the second-best rate ever in Sweden's pro league behind only Daniel Sedin. He'll take the Sharks' young forward core to an even higher level. San Jose has a significant organizational need on the blue line but can now address that with the ninth overall pick.
Caleb Malhotra, C, Brantford (OHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185 lbs
Yes, the Canucks just hired Manny Malhotra as head coach. No, drafting his son won't be an issue. Caleb's rise this year was very impressive. He showed an unexpected level of offense down the stretch that, combined with his two-way acumen, elevated his projection. Malhotra has a chance to be a first-line center.
Chase Reid, RHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 🇺🇸
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 190 lbs
Reid has big offensive upside with his skating and shot, and many consider him the top defenseman in this draft. He has the tools to develop into a strong rush defender as well. His development since being cut by a USHL team at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign has been remarkable.
Carson Carels, LHD, Prince George (WHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 198 lbs
Carels produced at the highest rate among draft-eligible WHL defensemen since Scott Niedermayer in 1990-91. A physical blue-liner, Carels is this draft's best two-way rearguard. The Rangers have multiple defensemen to consider in this spot and ultimately opt for his all-around ability.
Viggo Bjorck, C, Djurgarden (SHL) 🇸🇪
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 180 lbs
Bjorck's performance at the World Championship solidified his status as a legit center despite being 5-foot-9. It helps his case that the Carolina Hurricanes just won the Stanley Cup with a prominent undersized center in Logan Stankoven. The Flames pass on a defender after landing Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils.
Malte Gustafsson, LHD, HV71 (SHL) 🇸🇪
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 203 lbs
Seattle's never drafted a defenseman in the first round. The Kraken finally do here, and the name is a surprise. Gustafsson is a potential premier shutdown defenseman given his mobility and reach. He ended the campaign on a very good note by playing big minutes at the Under-18s.
Keaton Verhoeff, RHD, North Dakota (NCAA) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 lbs
The flaws in Verhoeff's skating and decision-making were somewhat exposed as he made the jump to the NCAA this year. That knocked him down a tier after he started the year as the No. 2 prospect. Twenty points as a 17-year-old NCAA defenseman are nothing to scoff at, though, and he's still got good size and a strong defensive profile.
Daxon Rudolph, RHD, Prince Albert (WHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 205 lbs
Rudolph racked up 28 goals this season, then led Prince Albert in scoring en route to the WHL final. His size and offensive profile are enticing, plus he's an always coveted right shot. Rudolph fits exactly what the Sharks are looking for in a premium defense prospect.
Alberts Smits, LHD, Munich (DEL) 🇱🇻
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 209 lbs
Smits could appear in the NHL as soon as next season. As a confident player, he's aggressive in all three zones. Smits' decision-making will determine whether he becomes a fun top-four defenseman or a first-pairing stalwart.
Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (OHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 230 lbs
Belchetz is massive and has impressive skill. That combo makes him an incredibly tantalizing prospect, especially if he really leans into the physical side of the game and becomes more aggressive.
Alexander Command, C, Orebro (Sweden Jr.) 🇸🇪
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 187 lbs
The Devils make Command the third center off the board. He's very competitive with good skating and an exciting shot, and he's on the younger side of the class. A well-rounded player.
Wyatt Cullen, LW, USNTDP 🇺🇸
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 183 lbs
Cullen was 5-foot-5 and 120 pounds when he began at the NTDP in 2024. His physical growth has made him a significant riser in the draft. Cullen has dynamic skill and could become one of this draft's top offensive players.
Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University (NCAA) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 183 lbs
Lawrence's midseason move to the NCAA didn't help his draft stock. Still, he's a center with a high-end motor who was named USHL playoff MVP as a 16-year-old. Other teams will be kicking themselves if Lawrence breaks out in his first full NCAA campaign.
Oliver Suvanto, C, Tappara (Liiga) 🇫🇮
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 213 lbs
St. Louis adds a dependable two-way player in Suvanto, strengthening its prospect pool down the middle. He's not a flashy offensive prospect but could become an important defensive center.
Ryan Lin, RHD, Vancouver (WHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180 lbs
Lin is arguably the smartest defenseman in the draft, but he'll need to overcome his lack of height. The Blues are willing to take a swing on Lin with their third of four first-round picks.
Oscar Hemming, LW, Boston College (NCAA) 🇫🇮
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 204 lbs
Hemming managed one goal at Boston College after a delayed start to the year due to IIHF transfer issues. A physical winger, he could flourish next year when he can play a full campaign.
Maddox Dagenais, C, Quebec (QMJHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 198 lbs
Dagenais collected 30 goals and became more of a power forward over the course of the campaign. He was a first overall pick in the QMJHL.
Gleb Pugachyov, RW, Nizhny Novgorod (MHL) 🇷🇺
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 198 lbs
The Mammoth love to draft size and physicality. Pugachyov fits the bill as a wrecking ball with speed.
Adam Novotny, LW, Peterborough (OHL) 🇨🇿
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 200 lbs
Novotny is strong, speedy, and gets a ton of pucks on net. He has the kind of doggedness that has excelled in the Sabres' lineup.
Ilia Morozov, C, Miami (Ohio) (NCAA) 🇷🇺
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 205 lbs
Morozov recorded 20 points in 36 contests as the youngest player in college hockey to suit up for the entire season. He has intriguing upside as a shutdown center.
Elton Hermansson, RW, MoDo (Allsvenskan) 🇸🇪
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 182 lbs
Hermansson put up an impressive 11 goals and 21 points in 38 games against men in Sweden's second-tier pro league. His thrilling skill gives him top-six potential.
William Hakansson, LHD, Lulea (SHL) 🇸🇪
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 217 lbs
Hakansson has pro size and plays a defensively stout albeit largely unremarkable game. He fits an organizational need since the Bruins have no notable blue-line prospects other than Frederic Brunet.
Liam Ruck, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 174 lbs
The Canucks land Ruck with the intention of drafting his twin brother, Markus, in the second round. Liam is the goal-scorer of the two, although he ranked second behind Markus in WHL scoring.
Maksim Sokolovskii, LHD, London (OHL) 🇷🇺
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 240 lbs
Sokolovskii is a violent defenseman and among the biggest prospects in the draft. He's a good skater for his size, so his puck skill will determine whether he can make an impact at the pro level.
Casey Mutryn, RW, USNTDP 🇺🇸
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 203 lbs
Mutryn plays a strong, heavy game, and he captained the NTDP this year. He's not a primary scorer but has the skill set to become a valued middle-six piece.
Tommy Bleyl, RHD, Moncton (QMJHL) 🇺🇸
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 170 lbs
The Sharks double down on the blue line and add another dynamic defenseman at No. 27. Bleyl dazzled with Moncton, winning QMJHL Defenseman of the Year as a rookie. He's undersized but makes up for it with incredible skating.
Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa (OHL) 🇺🇸
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 235 lbs
Centers with Rogowski's combination of size and skill don't come around often. He's a surprisingly good skater, but he could play with a bit more of a mean streak.
Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW, Leksands (Sweden Jr.) 🇸🇪
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 178 lbs
Lagerberg Hoen hasn't played since October due to a knee injury. The Blues are comfortable taking a chance on his limited body of work after making three previous picks in the round. Lagerberg Hoen's lethal shot gives him breakout potential.
Egor Shilov, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL) 🇷🇺
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 177 lbs
Shilov paced all QMJHL rookies with 82 points in 63 games. He's an exciting creator, but there are questions regarding his defensive effort.
Nikita Klepov, LW, Saginaw (OHL) 🇷🇺
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 180 lbs
Klepov led the OHL in scoring with 97 points in 67 games, and he did it as a rookie. He profiles as a typical Hurricanes gamble in the first round - if Carolina doesn't trade down to accumulate more picks.
Jaxon Cover, LW, London (OHL) 🇨🇦
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 183 lbs
Raised in the Cayman Islands playing roller hockey, Cover is the draft's most unique story. He's only played ice hockey for five seasons! The Senators take a swing on Cover's potential with their second pick of the first round.
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