A look at the first-round picks at the NHL draft

A quick evaluation of the players selected so far

Published Jun 26, 2026  •  Last updated 15 minutes ago  •  1 minute read

Gavin McKenna (left) and Justin Bieber look on after McKenna was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first overall pick during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, N.Y. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

The first round of the 2026 National Hockey League draft is taking place in Buffalo. Here’s a quick evaluation of the players selected so far:

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1. Toronto: RW Gavin McKenna, Penn State

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Held top CSB ranking all year, brings creativity and some crunch.

2. San Jose: LW Ivar Stenberg, Frolunda Sweden

Dynamic potential linemate for Macklin Celebrini.

3. Vancouver: C Caleb Malhotra, Brantford Bulldogs

Proud papa Manny will be the rookie OHL scoring star’s coach.

4. Buffalo: D Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert

College-bound 6-foot-3 thumper was chosen after Sabres moved up draft.

5. NY Rangers: D Alberts Smits, Munich DEL

Youngest Olympian on Team Latvia went a bit higher than expected.

6. Calgary: D Carson Carels, Prince George Cougars

Will attend North Dakota next year after 73 points, 66 PIMs.

7. Seattle: D Chase Reid, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Point-a-game pace for a couple of seasons in the Soo, first American picked.

8. Winnipeg: C Viggo Bjorck, Djurgarden SEL

Plays bigger than 5-foot-9 frame, goes to a team in need of a psychological lift.

9. San Jose: D Keaton Verhoeff, North Dakota NCAA

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A well-travelled pick, the right-handed shot ended up a bit lower than projected.

10. Nashville: LW Wyatt Cullen, US National Development Program

Father Matt won three Stanley Cups, his 6-foot-1 son had a growth spurt last year.

11. St. Louis: C Tynan Lawrence, Boston University

New Brunswick native won USHL title in Muskegon and on to University of Minnesota.

12. New Jersey: C Alexander Command, Orebro SEL

First pick for new data-driven Jersey general manager Sunny Mehta.

13. NY Islanders: D Malte Gustafsson, HV-71 SEL

Nice addition to last year’s first overall Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer.

14. Columbus: LW Oscar Hemming, Boston College

Had OHL ambitions with Kitchener, but the 6-4 Hemming found a good home.

15. Anaheim Ducks: RW Nikita Klepov, Saginaw OHL

After Mason McTavish trade with the Blues, Ducks gain 60-assist, 97-point Russian.

More to come …

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