2026 NHL Mock Draft Post Lottery

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the 2026 NHL Draft, getting the honor of picking first overall on June 26th in Buffalo.

With the lottery now over, we have begun predicting and analyzing which players each team will select. While we don’t know where teams will be selecting past 16, all of the top-end talent of the draft will likely be taken off the board at that stage of the first round. The top two players heading into the draft are both wingers, Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg; however, will that order hold as defenceman Chase Reid and center Caleb Malhotra become far more intriguing to teams?

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I will now present to you a top 10 post-lottery mock draft.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs – Gavin McKenna, Penn State University (NCAA)

The Maple Leafs have found a solution to replace Mitch Marner’s elite playmaking ability. After spending his first two seasons of junior hockey, McKenna decided to challenge himself by moving to the NCAA Big Ten Conference to suit up for Penn State University. McKenna played exceptionally well, posting 51 points, including 15 goals in 35 games. For a Maple Leafs team heading towards a retool, this seems like the perfect beginning.

2. San Jose Sharks – Ivar Stenberg, Frolunda HC (SHL)

The number one-rated international prospect is being taken off the board at second overall. The San Jose Sharks are in a position many did not see coming, as they went into the lottery with the 15th-best odds of landing the first overall pick. No matter who the Sharks take at this position, they will continue to load up their prospect pool, adding another top player.

Adding a top winger alongside Macklin Celebrini can become one of the deadliest duos in the NHL. Stenberg impressed many by playing against professional hockey players at the age of 18, tallying 33 points in 43 games.

3. Vancouver Canucks – Caleb Malhotra, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

The Canucks were hoping to remain the top pick in the NHL Draft, but sitting at number three, there are still a lot of solid options to choose from. The Canucks have a lot of upcoming talent, and I believe they are ready to add another top-end talent to replace Elias Pettersson down the middle of the ice. On the backend, they have Zeev Buium and Tom Willander, while Malhotra brings top-end talent to an already good forward core in Vancouver.

Malhotra’s father, Manny, is the AHL’s head coach, which seems to be a match made in heaven. Malhotra, with the Bulldogs this season, has played solidly, scoring 84 points, including 29 goals in 67 games.

4. Chicago Blackhawks – Chase Reid, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

The Blackhawks, at this stage of the NHL Draft, will likely look to add the best player available. This is likely Chase Reid, an offensive defenceman who is strong in all three areas of the ice. The Blackhawks are lacking a fast-skating, puck-moving defenseman to help them reach the next level, and adding Reid would answer many of their questions.

Up front, they remain strong with Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Nick Lardis, Frank Nazar, and Oliver Moore paving the way offensively. Being able to select Reid at the fourth pick almost seems like a steal, with how he has been able to develop his game over the past two seasons with the Greyhounds. Reid’s total this season was 48 points in 47 games.

5. New York Rangers – Keaton Verhoeff, University of North Dakota (NCAA)

The Rangers are in the midst of a rebuild, lacking both top-end skill and prospects. Looking at their blueline, they are in desperate need of a solid two-way defender who has some upside offensively. Keaton Verhoeff is known for his defensive game and is considered the best shutdown player in this draft.

He plays a heavy physical style game to complement what the rest of the blueline presents. Verhoeff decided to take his game to the next level this season, sacrificing points to play against tougher competition in the NCAA rather than in the WHL, where he spent two seasons with the Victoria Royals.

6. Calgary Flames – Tynan Lawrence, Boston University (NCAA)

Tynan Lawrence joined the University of Boston after playing 13 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL, where he dominated, putting up 17 points over that span. To help his draft stock and development, he transferred to the University of Boston on January 6th, playing 18 games and scoring 7 points.

The Flames are getting a reliable two-way center who can drive the play by himself through the middle of the ice. Lawrence is also known for how hard he works in the dirty areas of the ice, separating himself from his opponents. The Flames are taking a little bit of a gamble with this pick, but he can blossom into a fantastic player for the Flames.

7. Seattle Kraken – Carson Carels, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

The Seattle Kraken have been searching for a defenceman whom they can opt to build around. With Carels falling to the seventh overall pick, it gives them the ability to do this. Carels presents a strong two-way game, being effective in all areas of the ice. He plays a rugged, strong game, providing the back-end toughness every team needs to be successful. His hockey IQ also stands above the rest of the draft class, as he can make effective breakout passes while understanding the play, showcasing this at the IIHF World Junior Championship, where he was the youngest player on a stacked Team Canada roster. Carels will look to continue to develop into a strong player with the Kraken over the next couple of seasons.

8. Winnipeg Jets – Nikita Klepov, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Nikita Klepov dominated the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit this past season, leading the OHL with 97 points in 67 games. The Florida native is an absolute magician with the puck and addresses the Jets’ need for goal scoring.

Klepov is committed to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season, furthering his development against better players in the NCAA Big Ten Conference. His shot is also what separates him in this draft class. He can put the puck in the back of the net from virtually anywhere. The lone downside to his game is his defensive responsibility, which he can improve. It creates an issue that has him falling in this draft.

9. Florida Panthers – Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Daxon Rudolph is a big, strong, high-energy defenceman with a strong hockey IQ. Rudolph’s vision on the ice is unlikely for many; he sees the ice very well and can add to the Panthers’ strong defensive core in both the present and the future. Rudolph is not afraid of the dirty areas, winning one-on-one battles in the corners, out front of the net, and virtually anywhere on the ice. His offensive efficiency and possession control are what put him above many others.

He is comparable to LA Kings blueliner Drew Doughty. He plays a steady game all over the ice that could help him become one of the best defencemen in the NHL for a very long time.

10. Nashville Predators – Viggo Bjorck, Djurgardens IF (SHL)

With a lot of uncertainty around this organization’s management and coaching staff, it is tough to see where the team goes with the 10th overall pick. If I were the general manager, I would select Viggo Bjorck, who is a top-end talent. He has a high hockey IQ and plays a key role in all three areas of the ice. The Swedish forward is already playing against professional talent and hasn’t looked out of place one bit. His skating and edge work are what drive his offensive play. Bjorck also had a strong showing at the 2026 WJC, where he helped Team Sweden win gold.

The 2026 NHL Draft is set to be filled with surprises, with lots of trades and shocking moves ahead of us. Check in on June 26th to see where each of these players ends up and who the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to take with the first overall pick.