Winners and losers of 2026 NHL Draft: Maple Leafs on top, Lightning class looks weak

Key Points:

• The 2026 NHL Draft review evaluates all 32 teams' selections, categorizing them as winners, overtime winners, overtime losers, or losers based on expected performance relative to pick position.
• Winners include the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and others, praised for strong selections of skilled players and organizational fits.
• Overtime winners such as the Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Rangers made solid picks with some risks but generally good value and positional needs addressed.
• Overtime losers like the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals had mixed results with some questionable timing or player projections.
• Losers include the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and Tampa Bay Lightning, criticized for overreaching on picks, focusing too much on size over skill, or lacking NHL prospect potential in their selections.