2026 NHL Mock Draft: Final top 96
Daily Faceoff • • sports
Key Points:
- The 2026 NHL Draft, held at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, is anticipated to be highly unpredictable with many potential trades and surprises among the top picks.
- The mock draft predicts Toronto Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna, a skilled left winger from Penn State, as the first overall pick, followed by San Jose Sharks picking Ivar Stenberg and Vancouver Canucks selecting Caleb Malhotra.
- Several teams are expected to focus on defensemen early in the draft, including Buffalo Sabres selecting Chase Reid and New York Rangers picking Carson Carels, both praised for their defensive skills and hockey IQ.
- Notable prospects include Viggo Björck (Calgary Flames), Keaton Verhoeff (Seattle Kraken), and Alberts Šmits (Winnipeg Jets), each recognized for their unique skills in offense, defense, and physical play.
- The draft features a mix of North American and European players, with many young talents highlighted for their potential roles ranging from top-six forwards to shutdown defenders and promising goaltenders.
